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<p>Astronomers have detected the oldest black hole ever observed, with around a million times the mass of the Sun. Citing observations published in Arxiv, a report by The Guardian on Sunday (Dec 10) said that the black hole dates back more than 13 billion years to the dawn of the universe. The observations, made by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), reveal it to be at the heart of a galaxy 440 million years after the big bang.</p>

<p>The observations of the GN-z11 galaxy, push the origins of this mystery back to black holes’ infancy and suggest that they were either born big or ballooned extremely rapidly early on, the report said.</p>

<p>There is no direct image of the black hole captured, which is unseeable as no light can escape it. However, astronomers found telltale signatures of its accretion disk, the halo of gas and dust that swirls around the cosmic sinkhole.</p>

<h2><strong>A puzzle that seems to be deepening</strong></h2>

<p>Professor Roberto Maiolino, an astrophysicist at the University of Cambridge, who led the observations, said, “The surprise is in it being so very massive. That was the most unexpected thing.”</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-strange-star-near-milky-way-black-hole-may-have-extra-galactic-origin-study-667207">A strange star near Milky Way's black hole may have extra-galactic origin: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>Professor Andrew Pontzen from University College London (UCL), who was not involved in the research, said the observations suggested that some black holes instead grew at a tremendous rate in the young universe, far faster than expected.</p>

<p>"Understanding where the black holes came from in the first place has always been a puzzle, but now that puzzle seems to be deepening," Professor Pontzen told the publication.</p>

<p>The observations are the latest in a series of stunning discoveries by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) space observatory.</p>

<h2><strong>What is a black hole?</strong></h2>

<p>According <strong><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/universe/what-are-black-holes/">to NASA</a></strong>, a black hole is an astronomical object with a gravitational pull so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape it. Its surface is called the event horizon which defines the boundary where the velocity needed to escape exceeds the speed of light, which is the speed limit of the cosmos.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Two main classes of black holes have been extensively observed. Stellar-mass black holes with three to dozens of times the Sun’s mass are spread throughout our Milky Way galaxy, while supermassive monsters weighing 100,000 to billions of solar masses are found in the centres of most big galaxies, ours included," NASA said.</p>

<p>Once formed, black holes can grow by accreting matter that falls into them, including gas stripped from neighbouring stars and even other black holes.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Astronomers have detected the oldest black hole ever observed, with around a million times the mass of the Sun. Citing observations published in Arxiv, a report by The Guardian on Sunday (Dec 10) said that the black hole dates back more than 13 billion years to the dawn of the universe.

Astronomers have detected the oldest black hole ever observed, with around a million times the mass of the Sun. Citing observations published in Arxiv, a report by The Guardian on Sunday (Dec 10) said that the black hole dates back more than 13 billion years to the dawn of the universe. The observations, made by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), reveal it to be at the heart of a galaxy 440 million years after the big bang. The observations of the GN-z11 galaxy, push the origins of this mystery back to black holes’ infancy and suggest that they were either born big or ballooned extremely rapidly early on, the report said. There is no direct image of the black hole captured, which is unseeable as no light can escape it. However, astronomers found telltale signatures of its accretion disk, the halo of gas and dust that swirls around the cosmic sinkhole. A puzzle that seems to be deepening Professor Roberto Maiolino, an astrophysicist at the University of Cambridge, who led the observations, said, “The surprise is in it being so very massive. That was the most unexpected thing.” Also read: A strange star near Milky Way's black hole may have extra-galactic origin: Study Professor Andrew Pontzen from University College London (UCL), who was not involved in the research, said the observations suggested that some black holes instead grew at a tremendous rate in the young universe, far faster than expected. "Understanding where the black holes came from in the first place has always been a puzzle, but now that puzzle seems to be deepening," Professor Pontzen told the publication. The observations are the latest in a series of stunning discoveries by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) space observatory. What is a black hole? According to NASA, a black hole is an astronomical object with a gravitational pull so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape it. Its surface is called the event horizon which defines the boundary where the velocity needed to escape exceeds the speed of light, which is the speed limit of the cosmos. "Two main classes of black holes have been extensively observed. Stellar-mass black holes with three to dozens of times the Sun’s mass are spread throughout our Milky Way galaxy, while supermassive monsters weighing 100,000 to billions of solar masses are found in the centres of most big galaxies, ours included," NASA said. Once formed, black holes can grow by accreting matter that falls into them, including gas stripped from neighbouring stars and even other black holes. (With inputs from agencies)

Astronomers detect oldest black hole ever observed. It's a million times the mass of Sun: Report

<p>A "gas station in space" may soon become a reality. Orbit Fab, an American company, is developing a system for on-orbit refuelling that includes fuel ports, refuelling shuttles, and orbital gas stations (refuelling tankers).</p>

<p>However, the on-orbit refuelling won't come cheap, its cost will start from a whopping $20 million.</p>

<h2><strong>The company behind it</strong></h2>

<p>The company has conducted tests, launched a fuel depot demonstrator, and is planning its next launch in 2024 for a mission with the Air Force Research Lab.</p>

<p>"We are delivering fuel in geostationary orbit for a mission that is being undertaken by the Air Force Research Lab," said CEO Daniel Faber.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/playing-action-video-games-for-an-hour-significantly-boosts-alertness-study-668167">Playing action video games for an hour significantly boosts alertness: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>"At the moment, they're treating it as a demonstration, but it's getting a lot of interest from across the US government, from people that realise the value of refuelling," he added.</p>

<p>The company also has its first private customer lined up: Astroscale, a Japanese satellite servicing company, for its satellite designed for refuelling called LEXI. It is scheduled for launch in 2026.</p>

<h2><strong>Why does this matter?</strong></h2>

<p>Currently, the space is full of debris, a large part of which is made up of satellites, and space vehicles that have run out of fuel.</p>

<p>This initiative, as per CNN, comes as there is a growing interest in on-orbit servicing, which is seen as essential for a safe and sustainable development of space.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomers-detect-oldest-black-hole-ever-observed-its-a-million-times-the-mass-of-sun-report-668329">Astronomers detect oldest black hole ever observed. It's a million times the mass of Sun: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>Simone D’Amico, an associate professor of astronautics at Stanford University, noted that this is key to the safe and sustainable development of space.</p>

<p>"Could you imagine a ground mobility infrastructure, roads and cities, without gas stations and auto repair shops? Could you imagine single-use cars or aeroplanes?" he asked.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The development of space infrastructure and the proliferation of space assets is reaching a critical volume that is not sustainable any more without a change of paradigm."</p>

<p>"It's probably the only company in the world that has positioned itself to deploy 'gas stations' in orbit," said the Stanford University who has no affiliation with Orbit Fab.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I think Orbit Fab's approach is really visionary and can pay off in the mid to long term. However, it has high risk in the short term, since satellites have to be designed having reusability and refuelling in mind," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A "gas station in space" may soon become a reality. Orbit Fab, an American company, is developing a system for on-orbit refuelling that includes fuel ports, refuelling shuttles, and orbital gas stations (refuelling tankers).

A "gas station in space" may soon become a reality. Orbit Fab, an American company, is developing a system for on-orbit refuelling that includes fuel ports, refuelling shuttles, and orbital gas stations (refuelling tankers). However, the on-orbit refuelling won't come cheap, its cost will start from a whopping $20 million. The company behind it The company has conducted tests, launched a fuel depot demonstrator, and is planning its next launch in 2024 for a mission with the Air Force Research Lab. "We are delivering fuel in geostationary orbit for a mission that is being undertaken by the Air Force Research Lab," said CEO Daniel Faber. Also read | Playing action video games for an hour significantly boosts alertness: Study "At the moment, they're treating it as a demonstration, but it's getting a lot of interest from across the US government, from people that realise the value of refuelling," he added. The company also has its first private customer lined up: Astroscale, a Japanese satellite servicing company, for its satellite designed for refuelling called LEXI. It is scheduled for launch in 2026. Why does this matter? Currently, the space is full of debris, a large part of which is made up of satellites, and space vehicles that have run out of fuel. This initiative, as per CNN, comes as there is a growing interest in on-orbit servicing, which is seen as essential for a safe and sustainable development of space. Also read | Astronomers detect oldest black hole ever observed. It's a million times the mass of Sun: Report Simone D’Amico, an associate professor of astronautics at Stanford University, noted that this is key to the safe and sustainable development of space. "Could you imagine a ground mobility infrastructure, roads and cities, without gas stations and auto repair shops? Could you imagine single-use cars or aeroplanes?" he asked. "The development of space infrastructure and the proliferation of space assets is reaching a critical volume that is not sustainable any more without a change of paradigm." "It's probably the only company in the world that has positioned itself to deploy 'gas stations' in orbit," said the Stanford University who has no affiliation with Orbit Fab. "I think Orbit Fab's approach is really visionary and can pay off in the mid to long term. However, it has high risk in the short term, since satellites have to be designed having reusability and refuelling in mind," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Space gas stations: American startup aims to revolutionise space technology

In Pics | NASA scientists inspect Artemis 2 booster At Florida's Kennedy Space Center

<p>When our solar system formed, the Sun was the first to form out of clumps of gaseous clouds that came together, collapsed under their own gravity and eventually kickstarted nuclear fusion as more and more material 'fell' into the still-forming Sun. After the Sun was formed, the remaining material was still revolving around it. This 'protoplanetary' disc eventually gave rise to planets.</p>

<p>Researchers have used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to click a space 'hamburger'. In a layman terms, this is the very first ice map of a protoplanetary disc around a young star.</p>

<h2><strong>Why study protoplanetary discs?</strong></h2>

<p>The protoplanetary disc around a young star can contain many elements. As reported in Space[dot]com, presence of ice in the protoplanetary disc helps matter clump together. This may in turn, help formation of planets or even comets around the star. Study of protoplanetary discs can reveal a lot about formation of our solar system and models of planet formation.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | NASA satellites discover a 6-planet in-sync solar system</strong></p>

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<p>Making an ice-map of a protoplanetary disc using a telescope from Earth is very tough due to obstruction created by our water-molecule-loaded atmosphere. But from space, and with the help of a super-powerful telescope like JWST, what's impossibile soon ceases to remain impossible.</p>

<p>The team of researchers led by Ardjan Sturm, a scientist from Leiden University in the Netherlands, pointed JWST at a young star designated as HH 48 NE. It is 600 light-years away from us.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-strange-star-near-milky-way-black-hole-may-have-extra-galactic-origin-study-667207">A strange star near Milky Way's black hole may have extra-galactic origin: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>As the star passed through the protoplanetary disc, its light was filtered through the dust, ice and other material containing a variety of elements. Now each element absorbs and emits light in specific way, giving rise to somewhat of a 'signature' of that element. And by observing the spectrum, a picture can be 'painted' about what elements might be present in whatever the light is passing through.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-rare-elusive-red-sprite-snapped-astronaut-captures-unique-view-from-iss-667142">Rare, elusive 'red sprite' snapped: Astronaut captures unique view from ISS</a></strong></p>

<p>"The direct mapping of ice in a planet-forming disk provides important input for modeling studies that help to better understand the formation of our Earth, other planets in our Solar System and around other stars. With those observations, we can now begin to make firmer statements about the physics and chemistry of star and planet formation," said Ardjan Sturm, the lead author of the study as quoted on the website of Leiden University.</p>

<p>The image prepared by analysing the spetra resembles a hamburger complete with brown buns, green lettuce and more.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


When our solar system formed, the Sun was the first to form out of clumps of gaseous clouds that came together, collapsed under their own gravity and eventually kickstarted nuclear fusion as more and more material 'fell' into the still-forming Sun.

When our solar system formed, the Sun was the first to form out of clumps of gaseous clouds that came together, collapsed under their own gravity and eventually kickstarted nuclear fusion as more and more material 'fell' into the still-forming Sun. After the Sun was formed, the remaining material was still revolving around it. This 'protoplanetary' disc eventually gave rise to planets. Researchers have used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to click a space 'hamburger'. In a layman terms, this is the very first ice map of a protoplanetary disc around a young star. Why study protoplanetary discs? The protoplanetary disc around a young star can contain many elements. As reported in Space[dot]com, presence of ice in the protoplanetary disc helps matter clump together. This may in turn, help formation of planets or even comets around the star. Study of protoplanetary discs can reveal a lot about formation of our solar system and models of planet formation. Watch | NASA satellites discover a 6-planet in-sync solar system × Making an ice-map of a protoplanetary disc using a telescope from Earth is very tough due to obstruction created by our water-molecule-loaded atmosphere. But from space, and with the help of a super-powerful telescope like JWST, what's impossibile soon ceases to remain impossible. The team of researchers led by Ardjan Sturm, a scientist from Leiden University in the Netherlands, pointed JWST at a young star designated as HH 48 NE. It is 600 light-years away from us. Also Read | A strange star near Milky Way's black hole may have extra-galactic origin: Study As the star passed through the protoplanetary disc, its light was filtered through the dust, ice and other material containing a variety of elements. Now each element absorbs and emits light in specific way, giving rise to somewhat of a 'signature' of that element. And by observing the spectrum, a picture can be 'painted' about what elements might be present in whatever the light is passing through. Watch | Rare, elusive 'red sprite' snapped: Astronaut captures unique view from ISS "The direct mapping of ice in a planet-forming disk provides important input for modeling studies that help to better understand the formation of our Earth, other planets in our Solar System and around other stars. With those observations, we can now begin to make firmer statements about the physics and chemistry of star and planet formation," said Ardjan Sturm, the lead author of the study as quoted on the website of Leiden University. The image prepared by analysing the spetra resembles a hamburger complete with brown buns, green lettuce and more. (With inputs from agencies)

'Cosmic burger': NASA's James Webb telescope clicks 'hamburger' in space

<p>NASA launched its Psyche mission on October 13 this year. After nearly two months of journeying through space with 'closed eyes', Psyche has finally seen the 'first light'. The cameras onboard Psyche were off all this while. But on Monday (Dec 4), the cameras were turned on and the spacecraft sent the first image back to Earth.</p>

<p>Psyche is already 16 million miles away from Earth and is travelling to its namesake asteroid which is sitting pretty between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The spacecraft will arrive at the asteroid in 2029.</p>

<p>"The team wanted to test all of the science instruments early in the long journey to make sure they are working as intended, and to ensure there would be plenty of time to calibrate and adjust them as needed," said NASA.</p>

<p>According to the information released by NASA, the Psyche spacecraft captured the images using a pair of identical cameras. In all, 68 images were captured. All of these clicked starfield in the constellation Pisces.</p>

<p><img alt="Starfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f23796c5-1552-42f9-b4be-0ed78e3ffe40" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/starfield.png" /></p>

<p>(Image: NASA) The starfield annotated with names of individual stars. This is the image sent back by Psyche.</p>

<p>"The imager team is using the data to verify proper commanding, telemetry analysis, and calibration of the images," said NASA.</p>

<p>“These initial images are only a curtain-opener,” said Arizona State University’s Jim Bell, the Psyche imager instrument lead. Bell was quoted by NASA.</p>

<p>“For the team that designed and operates this sophisticated instrument, first light is a thrill. We start checking out the cameras with star images like these, then in 2026, we’ll take test images of Mars during the spacecraft’s flyby. And finally, in 2029 we’ll get our most exciting images yet – of our target asteroid Psyche. We look forward to sharing all of these visuals with the public.”</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/monstrous-dark-hole-in-sun-releasing-superfast-solar-wind-towards-earth-scientists-warn-666834">Monstrous dark hole in Sun releasing superfast solar wind towards Earth. Scientists warn...</a></strong></p>

<p>There are multiple colour filters through which the imager captured the images. All of these filters were tested in this initial observation.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/moon-getting-hydrogen-from-solar-winds-reveals-study-of-apollo-samples-665840">Moon getting hydrogen from solar winds, reveals study of Apollo samples</a></strong></p>

<p>"With the filters, the team will use photographs in wavelengths of light both visible and invisible to the human eye to help determine the composition of the metal-rich asteroid Psyche. The imager team will also use the data to create 3D maps of the asteroid to better understand its geology, which will give clues about Psyche’s history," said NASA.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA launched its Psyche mission on October 13 this year. After nearly two months of journeying through space with 'closed eyes', Psyche has finally seen the 'first light'.

NASA launched its Psyche mission on October 13 this year. After nearly two months of journeying through space with 'closed eyes', Psyche has finally seen the 'first light'. The cameras onboard Psyche were off all this while. But on Monday (Dec 4), the cameras were turned on and the spacecraft sent the first image back to Earth. Psyche is already 16 million miles away from Earth and is travelling to its namesake asteroid which is sitting pretty between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The spacecraft will arrive at the asteroid in 2029. "The team wanted to test all of the science instruments early in the long journey to make sure they are working as intended, and to ensure there would be plenty of time to calibrate and adjust them as needed," said NASA. According to the information released by NASA, the Psyche spacecraft captured the images using a pair of identical cameras. In all, 68 images were captured. All of these clicked starfield in the constellation Pisces. (Image: NASA) The starfield annotated with names of individual stars. This is the image sent back by Psyche. "The imager team is using the data to verify proper commanding, telemetry analysis, and calibration of the images," said NASA. “These initial images are only a curtain-opener,” said Arizona State University’s Jim Bell, the Psyche imager instrument lead. Bell was quoted by NASA. “For the team that designed and operates this sophisticated instrument, first light is a thrill. We start checking out the cameras with star images like these, then in 2026, we’ll take test images of Mars during the spacecraft’s flyby. And finally, in 2029 we’ll get our most exciting images yet – of our target asteroid Psyche. We look forward to sharing all of these visuals with the public.” Also Read | Monstrous dark hole in Sun releasing superfast solar wind towards Earth. Scientists warn... There are multiple colour filters through which the imager captured the images. All of these filters were tested in this initial observation. Also Read | Moon getting hydrogen from solar winds, reveals study of Apollo samples "With the filters, the team will use photographs in wavelengths of light both visible and invisible to the human eye to help determine the composition of the metal-rich asteroid Psyche. The imager team will also use the data to create 3D maps of the asteroid to better understand its geology, which will give clues about Psyche’s history," said NASA. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Psyche spacecraft sends first images and data

The researchers at NASA, while sidestepping the ban imposed by the United States, have been allowed to study the moon samples collected by China, in a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the space agencies of the two countries. The laws by the US have till now kept NASA and its counterpart the China National Space Administration (CNSA) at a distance, but now they have been allowed to work together, the South China Morning Post reported.

NASA sidesteps ban by US, appeals researchers to gather moon samples from China

<p>The researchers at NASA, while sidestepping the ban imposed by the United States, have been allowed to study the moon samples collected by China, in a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the space agencies of the two countries.<br />
<br />
The laws by the US have till now kept NASA and its counterpart the China National Space Administration (CNSA) at a distance, but now they have been allowed to work together, the South China Morning Post reported.<br />
<br />
The US space agency, in an email, said that it had “certified its intent to Congress” to allow the researchers funded by NASA to apply to the CNSA for gaining access to the lunar samples, which have been collected by Chang’e 5 mission of China in 2020.<br />
<br />
Normally, as per the Wolf Amendment which was passed in 2011 by the US Congress and given name after then-Republican senator Frank Wolf, the applications will be illegal as it places a ban on NASA from cooperating with China unless they have been authorised by lawmakers.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-odyssey-orbiter-acts-as-space-station-to-mars-to-capture-its-atmosphere-from-top-664467">NASA's Odyssey orbiter acts as Space Station to Mars to capture its atmosphere from top</a></p>

<p>As per the email from NASA, the application for access to moon samples was important because of the “unique value” of the Chinese samples, which were “made available recently to the international scientific community for research purposes”.</p>

<h2><strong>NASA gives green light to applications in exceptional case</strong></h2>

<p>The email clearly stated that the applications were given a green light in an exceptional case. “This allowance applies specifically to Chang’e 5 mission samples; the normal prohibition on bilateral activity with PRC on Nasa-funded projects remains in place,” it said, making reference to the People’s Republic of China.<br />
<br />
According to the email, the samples come from a lunar region “not yet sampled by NASA” and are expected to provide insights into the geological history of the moon, and the Earth-moon system, and potentially help Nasa make future lunar exploration plans.<br />
<br />
“Applying for samples will ensure that United States researchers have the same research opportunities as scientists around the world,” said the agency.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;NASA satellites discover a 6-planet in-sync solar system</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-satellites-discover-a-6-planet-in-sync-solar-system-665105/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Planetary geoscientist at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island James Head said that internationally there has been “great enthusiasm” for studying the samples. He added that “many colleagues will be applying”, now that access has been allowed by NASA. “It should be a very large set of applications,” he said.<br />
<br />
He added that although multiple fundamental questions have been addressed by the scientists after analysing a few samples, the participation of foreign scientists can “bring even more interest and different perspectives to tackle these critical problems”.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The researchers at NASA, while sidestepping the ban imposed by the United States, have been allowed to study the moon samples collected by China, in a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the space agencies of the two countries.

The researchers at NASA, while sidestepping the ban imposed by the United States, have been allowed to study the moon samples collected by China, in a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the space agencies of the two countries. The laws by the US have till now kept NASA and its counterpart the China National Space Administration (CNSA) at a distance, but now they have been allowed to work together, the South China Morning Post reported. The US space agency, in an email, said that it had “certified its intent to Congress” to allow the researchers funded by NASA to apply to the CNSA for gaining access to the lunar samples, which have been collected by Chang’e 5 mission of China in 2020. Normally, as per the Wolf Amendment which was passed in 2011 by the US Congress and given name after then-Republican senator Frank Wolf, the applications will be illegal as it places a ban on NASA from cooperating with China unless they have been authorised by lawmakers. Also read: NASA's Odyssey orbiter acts as Space Station to Mars to capture its atmosphere from top As per the email from NASA, the application for access to moon samples was important because of the “unique value” of the Chinese samples, which were “made available recently to the international scientific community for research purposes”. NASA gives green light to applications in exceptional case The email clearly stated that the applications were given a green light in an exceptional case. “This allowance applies specifically to Chang’e 5 mission samples; the normal prohibition on bilateral activity with PRC on Nasa-funded projects remains in place,” it said, making reference to the People’s Republic of China. According to the email, the samples come from a lunar region “not yet sampled by NASA” and are expected to provide insights into the geological history of the moon, and the Earth-moon system, and potentially help Nasa make future lunar exploration plans. “Applying for samples will ensure that United States researchers have the same research opportunities as scientists around the world,” said the agency. Watch: NASA satellites discover a 6-planet in-sync solar system Planetary geoscientist at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island James Head said that internationally there has been “great enthusiasm” for studying the samples. He added that “many colleagues will be applying”, now that access has been allowed by NASA. “It should be a very large set of applications,” he said. He added that although multiple fundamental questions have been addressed by the scientists after analysing a few samples, the participation of foreign scientists can “bring even more interest and different perspectives to tackle these critical problems”. (With inputs from agencies)

Humans from time immemorial have been looking for clues in the universe. Our search for life beyond earth has expanded in recent times. Our planetary system is the only one officially called “solar system,” but astronomers have discovered more than 3,200 other stars with planets orbiting them. But now researchers think that they have found the perfect solar system. Watch this story to know more.

Why are scientists calling it a perfect world?

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidxD25W6DPk45E" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>About a month ago, NASA's Lucy mission flew past an asteroid named Dinkinesh and discovered that it has a tiny moon. But it wasn't any ordinary moon. It was a contact binary moon, where two space rocks gently rested against each other.</p>

<p>This unique moon needed a name. So, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) approved "Selam," meaning peace in Ethiopia's language.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Selam is not a random name. While Dinkinesh is the Ethiopian name for the Lucy fossil, Selam comes from another fossil of the same species of human ancestor.</p>

<p>NASA named the Lucy mission after the hominid skeleton fossil Lucy, discovered in Ethiopia in 1974 and estimated to be 3.18 million years old. The mission's objective is to revolutionise our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the Solar System.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Selam was the name of the fossil of a three-year-old girl, discovered in 2000 in Dikika, Ethiopia and belonged to the same species as Lucy. Although the fossil is often called Lucy's baby, it lived more than 100,000 years before Lucy.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/researchers-detect-exoplanet-orbiting-star-nine-times-smaller-than-sun-664941">Researchers detect exoplanet orbiting star nine times smaller than Sun</a></p>

<p>The surprisingly high-resolution images by the Lucy mission showed boulder-strewn surfaces on Dinkinesh and Selam. If looked at closely, the 790-metre&nbsp;wide asteroid, Dinkinesh, looks similar to Bennu, visited by OSIRIS-REx.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the team at NASA completed downlinking the data from Lucy's first asteroid encounter and continues to process it, they're expecting more images to come from the flyby.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA has added Lucy's encounter with Dinkinesh as an in-flight test of the spacecraft's systems and instruments. A recent blog post by Katherine Kretke of the Southwest Research Insitute said all systems worked fine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kretke wrote, "The tools and techniques refined with data from this encounter will help the team prepare for the mission's main targets, the never-before-explored Jupiter Trojan asteroids." She added, "In addition to the images taken by Lucy's high-resolution L'LORRI camera and its Terminal Tracking Cameras (T2Cam), Lucy's other science instruments also collected data that will help scientists understand these puzzling asteroids."</p>

<p>Lucy plans to visit nine more asteroids in six separate encounters in the next decade. After receiving a boost from Earth's gravity in December 2024, the spacecraft will head towards the main asteroid belt. In April 2025, it will encounter an asteroid named Donaldjohanson. The spacecraft will continue to pass through the main belt and finally reach its primary targets, the Jupiter Trojan asteroids, in 2027.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


About a month ago, NASA's Lucy mission flew past an asteroid named Dinkinesh and discovered that it has a tiny moon. But it wasn't any ordinary moon. It was a contact binary moon, where two space rocks gently rested against each other.

About a month ago, NASA's Lucy mission flew past an asteroid named Dinkinesh and discovered that it has a tiny moon. But it wasn't any ordinary moon. It was a contact binary moon, where two space rocks gently rested against each other. This unique moon needed a name. So, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) approved "Selam," meaning peace in Ethiopia's language. However, Selam is not a random name. While Dinkinesh is the Ethiopian name for the Lucy fossil, Selam comes from another fossil of the same species of human ancestor. NASA named the Lucy mission after the hominid skeleton fossil Lucy, discovered in Ethiopia in 1974 and estimated to be 3.18 million years old. The mission's objective is to revolutionise our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the Solar System. Selam was the name of the fossil of a three-year-old girl, discovered in 2000 in Dikika, Ethiopia and belonged to the same species as Lucy. Although the fossil is often called Lucy's baby, it lived more than 100,000 years before Lucy. ALSO READ | Researchers detect exoplanet orbiting star nine times smaller than Sun The surprisingly high-resolution images by the Lucy mission showed boulder-strewn surfaces on Dinkinesh and Selam. If looked at closely, the 790-metre wide asteroid, Dinkinesh, looks similar to Bennu, visited by OSIRIS-REx. As the team at NASA completed downlinking the data from Lucy's first asteroid encounter and continues to process it, they're expecting more images to come from the flyby. NASA has added Lucy's encounter with Dinkinesh as an in-flight test of the spacecraft's systems and instruments. A recent blog post by Katherine Kretke of the Southwest Research Insitute said all systems worked fine. Kretke wrote, "The tools and techniques refined with data from this encounter will help the team prepare for the mission's main targets, the never-before-explored Jupiter Trojan asteroids." She added, "In addition to the images taken by Lucy's high-resolution L'LORRI camera and its Terminal Tracking Cameras (T2Cam), Lucy's other science instruments also collected data that will help scientists understand these puzzling asteroids." Lucy plans to visit nine more asteroids in six separate encounters in the next decade. After receiving a boost from Earth's gravity in December 2024, the spacecraft will head towards the main asteroid belt. In April 2025, it will encounter an asteroid named Donaldjohanson. The spacecraft will continue to pass through the main belt and finally reach its primary targets, the Jupiter Trojan asteroids, in 2027. (With inputs from agencies)

Asteroid Dinky's double moon, discovered by Lucy mission, has officially been named

NASA astronomers have found their own it is a rare in-sync solar system with six planets moving like a grand Cosmic Orchestra untouched by outside forces since the birth billions of years ago. Watch this report to know more about this new world and where it is located.

NASA satellites discover a 6-planet in-sync solar system

<p>NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter, in its 22nd year on the Red Planet, recently captured spectacular clouds and dust on Martian skies, along with one of its two moons.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The view is akin to the one you see when one sees the curvature of the Earth below the International Space Station.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>The stunning view of Mars will help scientists all over the world gain new insights into the Martian atmosphere. It shows the Martian surface below the layers of cloud and dust.</p>

<h2><strong>Mars from top: From where the images were captured?</strong></h2>

<p>The spacecraft took images in May from an altitude of about 250 miles (400 km). Notably, this is the same altitude at which the International Space Station flies above Earth.<img alt="NASA JPL image" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b3f6ba56-0dfa-47f4-a7c6-309de4c420e2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-11-30T061627.145.png" /></p>

<p data-block-key="t16y4"><em>This unusual view of the horizon of Mars was captured by NASA’s Odyssey orbiter using its THEMIS camera | Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU</em></p>

<p>"If there were astronauts in orbit over Mars, this is the perspective they would have," said Jonathon Hill of Arizona State University, according to an official NASA readout. Hill is the operations lead for Odyssey’s camera, called the Thermal Emission Imaging System, or THEMIS. "No Mars spacecraft has ever had this kind of view before."</p>

<h2><strong>Why is this Martian view unique?</strong></h2>

<p>This is because the mission had to capture a more expansive view of the atmosphere. The capture of the Martian landscape was aimed to help scientists improve upon the existing models of the Martian atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-can-now-produce-oxygen-on-mars-all-thanks-to-an-ai-powered-robot-chemist-658247">Scientists can now produce oxygen on Mars, all thanks to an AI-powered robot chemist</a></strong></p>

<p>"I think of it as viewing a cross-section, a slice through the atmosphere,” said Jeffrey Plaut, Odyssey’s project scientist at JPL. "There’s a lot of detail you can’t see from above, which is how THEMIS normally makes these measurements."</p>

<p>Besides, the THEMIS cannot make angular movements. Therefore, to adjust the angle of the camera, the whole spacecraft had to be readjusted. Here, the team rotated the orbiter about 90 degrees while ensuring that Sunlight fell on the spacecraft's solar panels.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars</strong></p>

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<p>The Odyssey mission hopes to take similar images in the future, capturing the Martian atmosphere across multiple seasons.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter, in its 22nd year on the Red Planet, recently captured spectacular clouds and dust on Martian skies, along with one of its two moons.

NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter, in its 22nd year on the Red Planet, recently captured spectacular clouds and dust on Martian skies, along with one of its two moons. The view is akin to the one you see when one sees the curvature of the Earth below the International Space Station. What does it mean? The stunning view of Mars will help scientists all over the world gain new insights into the Martian atmosphere. It shows the Martian surface below the layers of cloud and dust. Mars from top: From where the images were captured? The spacecraft took images in May from an altitude of about 250 miles (400 km). Notably, this is the same altitude at which the International Space Station flies above Earth. This unusual view of the horizon of Mars was captured by NASA’s Odyssey orbiter using its THEMIS camera | Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU "If there were astronauts in orbit over Mars, this is the perspective they would have," said Jonathon Hill of Arizona State University, according to an official NASA readout. Hill is the operations lead for Odyssey’s camera, called the Thermal Emission Imaging System, or THEMIS. "No Mars spacecraft has ever had this kind of view before." Why is this Martian view unique? This is because the mission had to capture a more expansive view of the atmosphere. The capture of the Martian landscape was aimed to help scientists improve upon the existing models of the Martian atmosphere. Also read | Scientists can now produce oxygen on Mars, all thanks to an AI-powered robot chemist "I think of it as viewing a cross-section, a slice through the atmosphere,” said Jeffrey Plaut, Odyssey’s project scientist at JPL. "There’s a lot of detail you can’t see from above, which is how THEMIS normally makes these measurements." Besides, the THEMIS cannot make angular movements. Therefore, to adjust the angle of the camera, the whole spacecraft had to be readjusted. Here, the team rotated the orbiter about 90 degrees while ensuring that Sunlight fell on the spacecraft's solar panels. Also watch | Scientists surprised by source of largest quake detected on Mars × The Odyssey mission hopes to take similar images in the future, capturing the Martian atmosphere across multiple seasons. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Odyssey orbiter acts as Space Station to Mars to capture its atmosphere from top

<p>National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Bill Nelson on Wednesday (Nov&nbsp;29) met Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian astronaut to fly to space. Nelson also met students at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).</p>

<p>The NASA chief said that Rakesh Sharma's story lit up the room.</p>

<p>“It was a great honor to speak with students in Bengaluru today with Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to fly to space. His story lit up the room! To the Artemis Generation in India and beyond: Work hard, dream big, and reach for the stars. The universe is the limit!” Nelson posted on X.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It was a great honor to speak with students in Bengaluru today with Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to fly to space. His story lit up the room! To the Artemis Generation in India and beyond: Work hard, dream big, and reach for the stars. The universe is the limit! <a href="https://t.co/mnPUJDfr8P">pic.twitter.com/mnPUJDfr8P</a></p>
— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenBillNelson/status/1729926970236965211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>On April 2, 1984, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian citizen to reach outer space. He was aboard Soviet Soyuz T-11 rocket which was launched from Baiknour Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan which was then part of Soviet Russia.</p>

<p>Sharma was in space for seven days, 21 hours and 40 minutes. With his space travel, India became the 14th nation to have its astronaut sent to space.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-ready-to-work-with-isro-to-build-space-station-says-nasa-chief-664065">NASA chief says ready to work with ISRO to build Indian space station</a></strong></p>

<p>While in space, Sharma conducted scientific experiments and studies. The work included remote sensing and bio-medicine. The crew held a conference with officials while in space.</p>

<p>After his space journey, Sharma said that sunrise and sunset were the most beautiful moments to witness from space.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-odyssey-orbiter-acts-as-space-station-to-mars-to-capture-its-atmosphere-from-top-664467">NASA's Odyssey orbiter acts as Space Station to Mars to capture its atmosphere from top</a></strong></p>

<p>NASA chief Bill Nelson arrived in India on Tuesday. Right from the start, he had expressed enthusiasm for meeting people in the country and experts from ISRO. He even said that NASA was ready to help India build its own space station.</p>

<p>He called India a 'leader' in space research. After India, Nelson will go to UAE. He is looking to deepen bilateral cooperation with both countries.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Bill Nelson on Wednesday (Nov 29) met Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian astronaut to fly to space.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Bill Nelson on Wednesday (Nov 29) met Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian astronaut to fly to space. Nelson also met students at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The NASA chief said that Rakesh Sharma's story lit up the room. “It was a great honor to speak with students in Bengaluru today with Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to fly to space. His story lit up the room! To the Artemis Generation in India and beyond: Work hard, dream big, and reach for the stars. The universe is the limit!” Nelson posted on X. It was a great honor to speak with students in Bengaluru today with Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to fly to space. His story lit up the room! To the Artemis Generation in India and beyond: Work hard, dream big, and reach for the stars. The universe is the limit! pic.twitter.com/mnPUJDfr8P — Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) November 29, 2023 × On April 2, 1984, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian citizen to reach outer space. He was aboard Soviet Soyuz T-11 rocket which was launched from Baiknour Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan which was then part of Soviet Russia. Sharma was in space for seven days, 21 hours and 40 minutes. With his space travel, India became the 14th nation to have its astronaut sent to space. Also Read | NASA chief says ready to work with ISRO to build Indian space station While in space, Sharma conducted scientific experiments and studies. The work included remote sensing and bio-medicine. The crew held a conference with officials while in space. After his space journey, Sharma said that sunrise and sunset were the most beautiful moments to witness from space. Also Read | NASA's Odyssey orbiter acts as Space Station to Mars to capture its atmosphere from top NASA chief Bill Nelson arrived in India on Tuesday. Right from the start, he had expressed enthusiasm for meeting people in the country and experts from ISRO. He even said that NASA was ready to help India build its own space station. He called India a 'leader' in space research. After India, Nelson will go to UAE. He is looking to deepen bilateral cooperation with both countries.

NASA chief meets Rakesh Sharma, India's first astronaut

<p>National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Bill Nelson said on Tuesday (November 28) that the United States was open to&nbsp;collaboration with India in building its own space station. He is in India. Nelson said that the US and India were planning to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) by the end of next year.</p>

<p>“The selection of astronaut is determined by ISRO. NASA will not make the selection,” said Nelson as quoted by Press Trust of India.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | ISRO to launch NISAR in 2024</strong></p>

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<p>His comment on a possible Indian space station came in response to a question. He said the US was ready to collaborate in building the space station if India desires.</p>

<p>“We expect by that time to have a commercial space station. I think India wants to have a commercial space station by 2040. If India wants us to collaborate with them, of course, we will be available. But that’s up to India,” Nelson said.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/evil-eye-in-the-sky-clicked-by-nasa-wows-netizens-663392">'Evil eye' in the sky clicked by NASA wows netizens</a></strong></p>

<p>India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to work towards building an Indian space station by the year 2035 and landing an Indian astronaut on the moon by the year 2040.</p>

<h2><strong>NASA chief meets Indian minister</strong></h2>

<p>On Tuesday, Nelson headed a delegation and met India's Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh</p>

<p>“I had a discussion with the minister on what the Indian astronaut would do on the space station. And the two of us talked about the fact that things that are important to India in scientific research, the Indian astronaut ought to have that as a choice to do. If there is a particular part of research that he or she would be interested in, then I want to encourage that,” Nelson later said at a media interaction.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-shares-image-of-hidden-galaxy-which-is-11-million-light-years-away-from-earth-664045">NASA shares image of 'Hidden galaxy' which is 11 million light-years away from Earth</a></strong></p>

<p>On Tuesday, Nelson also spoke about the NASA-ISRO&nbsp;Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) observatory which is slated to be launched in the first quarter of 2024.</p>

<p>“In the first quarter of 2024, in a joint venture, India will launch a very expensive spacecraft, NISAR, and it is part of what we call our great observatories. And the combination of these four or five observatories that will be put up, and all our 25 spacecraft looking at the Earth...the combination of all that information...is helping us precisely determine what is happening to the Earth and its climate,” Nelson said as quoted by Hindustan Times.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Bill Nelson said on Tuesday (November 28) that the United States was open to collaboration with India in building its own space station.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Bill Nelson said on Tuesday (November 28) that the United States was open to collaboration with India in building its own space station. He is in India. Nelson said that the US and India were planning to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) by the end of next year. “The selection of astronaut is determined by ISRO. NASA will not make the selection,” said Nelson as quoted by Press Trust of India. Watch | ISRO to launch NISAR in 2024 × His comment on a possible Indian space station came in response to a question. He said the US was ready to collaborate in building the space station if India desires. “We expect by that time to have a commercial space station. I think India wants to have a commercial space station by 2040. If India wants us to collaborate with them, of course, we will be available. But that’s up to India,” Nelson said. Also Read | 'Evil eye' in the sky clicked by NASA wows netizens India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to work towards building an Indian space station by the year 2035 and landing an Indian astronaut on the moon by the year 2040. NASA chief meets Indian minister On Tuesday, Nelson headed a delegation and met India's Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh “I had a discussion with the minister on what the Indian astronaut would do on the space station. And the two of us talked about the fact that things that are important to India in scientific research, the Indian astronaut ought to have that as a choice to do. If there is a particular part of research that he or she would be interested in, then I want to encourage that,” Nelson later said at a media interaction. Also Read | NASA shares image of 'Hidden galaxy' which is 11 million light-years away from Earth On Tuesday, Nelson also spoke about the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) observatory which is slated to be launched in the first quarter of 2024. “In the first quarter of 2024, in a joint venture, India will launch a very expensive spacecraft, NISAR, and it is part of what we call our great observatories. And the combination of these four or five observatories that will be put up, and all our 25 spacecraft looking at the Earth...the combination of all that information...is helping us precisely determine what is happening to the Earth and its climate,” Nelson said as quoted by Hindustan Times. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA chief says ready to work with ISRO to build Indian space station

<p>NASA on its social media shared another marvel of space, the 'Hidden galaxy', also known as the spiral galaxy.<br />
<br />
The galaxy, which is located nearly 11 million light-years away from Earth, was captured using the Hubble telescope. The European Space Agency's Euclid mission captured the stunning image of the galaxy.<br />
<br />
"The spiral galaxy above also known as the "Hidden Galaxy," is the first of five images released from the Euclid mission," wrote NASA, in the caption on the social media platform Instagram.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-warns-of-solar-storm-hitting-earth-today-amid-increased-activity-fiery-eruptions-on-sun-662975">NASA warns of solar storm hitting Earth amid increased activity, fiery eruptions on Sun</a></p>

<p>The space agency further added that the galaxy is located around 11 million light-years away from Earth and it is located behind a crowd of dust in the Milky Way.<br />
<br />
Located about 11 million light-years from Earth, it lies behind a crowd of dust in the Milky Way. Euclid is able to peek through the dust to study it by using a near-infrared instrument. "Euclid’s first images mark the beginning of a new era of studying dark matter and dark energy,” said Mike Seiffert, Euclid project scientist at @NASAJPL. "NASA teams will join Euclid scientists to study the dark energy, dark matter and galaxy evolution found in space,” the caption read.</p>

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<p>“The @EuropeanSpaceAgency’s Euclid mission launched on July 1, 2023, with NASA contributions. The space telescope is performing as expected after travelling nearly 1 million miles to its vantage point,” it added.</p>

<h2><strong>Spiral galaxy shares similarity with Milky Way</strong></h2>

<p>Typically, a spiral galaxy has a rotating disc with spiral 'arms' which curve out from a dense central region. The Milky Way is also considered a spiral galaxy.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report </strong></p>

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<p>Describing the galaxy's image in the caption, NASA wrote, “A big spiral galaxy is visible face-on in white/pink colours at the centre of this square astronomical image. The galaxy covers almost the entire image and appears whiter at its center where more stars are located. Its spiral arms stretch out across the image and appear fainter at the edges. The entire image is speckled with stars ranging in colour from blue to white to yellow and red, across a black background of space. Blue stars are younger and red stars are older. A few of the stars are a bit larger than the rest, with six diffraction spikes.”<br />
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Just after 5 hours ⁣⁣of getting posted, the image garnered more than 2 lakh likes on Instagram. The image shared by NASA appeared to have left the space-lovers absolutely mesmerised.<br />
<br />
A user wrote, "That would make an out-of-this-world holiday ornament! We're sure people would make space on their tree for one."<br />
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Another user said, "This telescope will produce great science!”</p>

<p>“Wow, this is what everyone needed to see before going to bed! Such dreams to everyone," wrote a third user.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


NASA on its social media shared another marvel of space, the 'Hidden galaxy', also known as the spiral galaxy. The galaxy, which is located nearly 11 million light-years away from Earth, was captured using the Hubble telescope.

NASA on its social media shared another marvel of space, the 'Hidden galaxy', also known as the spiral galaxy. The galaxy, which is located nearly 11 million light-years away from Earth, was captured using the Hubble telescope. The European Space Agency's Euclid mission captured the stunning image of the galaxy. "The spiral galaxy above also known as the "Hidden Galaxy," is the first of five images released from the Euclid mission," wrote NASA, in the caption on the social media platform Instagram. Also read: NASA warns of solar storm hitting Earth amid increased activity, fiery eruptions on Sun The space agency further added that the galaxy is located around 11 million light-years away from Earth and it is located behind a crowd of dust in the Milky Way. Located about 11 million light-years from Earth, it lies behind a crowd of dust in the Milky Way. Euclid is able to peek through the dust to study it by using a near-infrared instrument. "Euclid’s first images mark the beginning of a new era of studying dark matter and dark energy,” said Mike Seiffert, Euclid project scientist at @NASAJPL. "NASA teams will join Euclid scientists to study the dark energy, dark matter and galaxy evolution found in space,” the caption read. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA (@nasa) × “The @EuropeanSpaceAgency’s Euclid mission launched on July 1, 2023, with NASA contributions. The space telescope is performing as expected after travelling nearly 1 million miles to its vantage point,” it added. Spiral galaxy shares similarity with Milky Way Typically, a spiral galaxy has a rotating disc with spiral 'arms' which curve out from a dense central region. The Milky Way is also considered a spiral galaxy. Watch: New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller, says report Describing the galaxy's image in the caption, NASA wrote, “A big spiral galaxy is visible face-on in white/pink colours at the centre of this square astronomical image. The galaxy covers almost the entire image and appears whiter at its center where more stars are located. Its spiral arms stretch out across the image and appear fainter at the edges. The entire image is speckled with stars ranging in colour from blue to white to yellow and red, across a black background of space. Blue stars are younger and red stars are older. A few of the stars are a bit larger than the rest, with six diffraction spikes.” Just after 5 hours ⁣⁣of getting posted, the image garnered more than 2 lakh likes on Instagram. The image shared by NASA appeared to have left the space-lovers absolutely mesmerised. A user wrote, "That would make an out-of-this-world holiday ornament! We're sure people would make space on their tree for one." Another user said, "This telescope will produce great science!” “Wow, this is what everyone needed to see before going to bed! Such dreams to everyone," wrote a third user. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA shares image of 'Hidden galaxy' which is 11 million light-years away from Earth

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Suraj: Indigenous solar-powered drone | Nasa Chief says 'ready to work with ISRO' | Trending on WION

<p>Researchers in the United Kingdom are preparing to unveil the secrets of a sample of rock retrieved from the asteroid Bennu after its dust arrived at the Natural History Museum in London. Notably, the asteroid has a 1-in-1,750 chance of colliding with Earth in the next 300 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A capsule returned in late September with material collected by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft from the near-Earth asteroid, whose 100mg sample is given to the researchers at the museum. The sample will be subjected to several tests at the museum and the Open, Manchester and Oxford universities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the extraordinary challenge, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) spacecraft touched down on Bennu and collected more than 60g of untouched material, which is the largest amount — more than what was brought back during the Apollo programme.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted by The Guardian, Dr Ashley King, a planetary scientist who will work on the grains at the museum, said: "It's amazing. It's like a little treasure trove that takes us back to the start of the solar system. I can't wait to get my hands on them and see what we can learn about the early solar system."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/milestone-for-isros-astrosat-as-it-detects-600th-gamma-ray-burst-663812">Milestone for ISRO's AstroSat as it detects 600th gamma-ray burst</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<h2><strong>Asteroid Bennu contains water: NASA</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>NASA last month confirmed that the sample from the asteroid Bennu contains water and carbon molecules, both are building blocks for life. This finding has offered more evidence for the theory that life on Earth was seeded from outer space.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, NASA administrator Bill Nelson said at a press event at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, that this is the biggest "carbon-rich asteroid sample ever returned to Earth". &nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that carbon accounted for almost five per cent of the sample's total weight, and was present in both organic and mineral form. He further said that the water was locked inside the crystal structure of clay minerals.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-is-what-happens-to-astronauts-fingernails-after-a-walk-in-space-and-it-is-terrifying-663760">This is what happens to astronauts' fingernails after a walk in space, and it's scary</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>At the London Museum, the researchers will be focussed on analysing hydrogen isotopes in the water bound up in Bennu in order to find if any of them matches that found in Earth's oceans.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The sample will also help scientists in future to understand asteroids and establish whether or not they are dangerous; and know how to destroy or deflect or destroy them if they pose a potential threat to Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>King said: "It doesn't sound like a lot of material, but it's plenty to work with. The museum is home to one of the world's leading meteorite collections, and the staff are well-used to handling small amounts of extremely precious materials from outer space."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Researchers in the United Kingdom are preparing to unveil the secrets of a sample of rock retrieved from the asteroid Bennu after its dust arrived at the Natural History Museum in London.

Researchers in the United Kingdom are preparing to unveil the secrets of a sample of rock retrieved from the asteroid Bennu after its dust arrived at the Natural History Museum in London. Notably, the asteroid has a 1-in-1,750 chance of colliding with Earth in the next 300 years. A capsule returned in late September with material collected by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft from the near-Earth asteroid, whose 100mg sample is given to the researchers at the museum. The sample will be subjected to several tests at the museum and the Open, Manchester and Oxford universities. During the extraordinary challenge, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) spacecraft touched down on Bennu and collected more than 60g of untouched material, which is the largest amount — more than what was brought back during the Apollo programme. As quoted by The Guardian, Dr Ashley King, a planetary scientist who will work on the grains at the museum, said: "It's amazing. It's like a little treasure trove that takes us back to the start of the solar system. I can't wait to get my hands on them and see what we can learn about the early solar system." Also read: Milestone for ISRO's AstroSat as it detects 600th gamma-ray burst Asteroid Bennu contains water: NASA NASA last month confirmed that the sample from the asteroid Bennu contains water and carbon molecules, both are building blocks for life. This finding has offered more evidence for the theory that life on Earth was seeded from outer space. Last month, NASA administrator Bill Nelson said at a press event at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, that this is the biggest "carbon-rich asteroid sample ever returned to Earth". He added that carbon accounted for almost five per cent of the sample's total weight, and was present in both organic and mineral form. He further said that the water was locked inside the crystal structure of clay minerals. Also read: This is what happens to astronauts' fingernails after a walk in space, and it's scary At the London Museum, the researchers will be focussed on analysing hydrogen isotopes in the water bound up in Bennu in order to find if any of them matches that found in Earth's oceans. The sample will also help scientists in future to understand asteroids and establish whether or not they are dangerous; and know how to destroy or deflect or destroy them if they pose a potential threat to Earth. King said: "It doesn't sound like a lot of material, but it's plenty to work with. The museum is home to one of the world's leading meteorite collections, and the staff are well-used to handling small amounts of extremely precious materials from outer space." (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists at London Museum to study dust from Bennu asteroid and unveil secrets

<p>Space can be an excellent refuge for an imaginative mind. Yes, the study is all scientific, but the endless expanse has ample margin for imagination and even ascribing meaning to celestial objects that resemble the forms in our perception. And the wide expanse is full of such things, as it has (again) been proven by a NASA click.</p>

<p>NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has clicked something that looks like an 'evil eye' staring at you from a distant corner of the cosmos. The stare is not quite human and has reptilian features, much like a dinosaur.</p>

<p>But nothing absurdly huge is looking angrily at us from space. What trusty ol' Hubble Telescope has clicked is a constellation. This constellation, named Coma Berenices, is indeed called an 'evil eye' as placement of stars along with sweeping clouds of dust give it a rather devilish look.</p>

<p>"...The gas in the inner and outer regions move in opposite directions, which may be due to a recent galactic merger...," says NASA in its post on Instagram.</p>

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<p>Now to the familiar part, like any other NASA image, the evil eye has captivated thousands online. At the time of publishing of this story, the Instagram post was liked by nearly 400,000 people.</p>

<p>NASA has also made '#LoTR' in an apparent reference to <em>Lord of the Rings</em> movies.</p>

<p>And people have caught on. In comments, one Instagram user has likened the 'evil eye' with 'The eye of Sauron' from the LOTR franchise.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-warns-of-solar-storm-hitting-earth-today-amid-increased-activity-fiery-eruptions-on-sun-662975">NASA warns of solar storm hitting Earth amid increased activity, fiery eruptions on Sun</a></strong></p>

<p>The user is not the only to make allusion to LOTR.</p>

<p>"Gondor calls for aid! And Rohan will answer!" quips another user in one more reference to the LOTR trilogy.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-discovers-methane-on-distant-exoplanet-here-is-what-it-means-662550">NASA discovers methane on distant exoplanet. Here is what it means...</a></strong></p>

<p>Not everyone is cracking jokes (after NASA's hint in the first place.)</p>

<p>Some Instagram users are mesmerised by the terrifying beauty of Coma Berenices which has even made them contemplative.</p>

<p>"The Universe is so damn big," says a user in the comments section.</p>

<p>"Wow, that's all I can think of at moment . What an amazing image," another user has said.</p>


Space can be an excellent refuge for an imaginative mind. Yes, the study is all scientific, but the endless expanse has ample margin for imagination and even ascribing meaning to celestial objects that resemble the forms in our perception.

Space can be an excellent refuge for an imaginative mind. Yes, the study is all scientific, but the endless expanse has ample margin for imagination and even ascribing meaning to celestial objects that resemble the forms in our perception. And the wide expanse is full of such things, as it has (again) been proven by a NASA click. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has clicked something that looks like an 'evil eye' staring at you from a distant corner of the cosmos. The stare is not quite human and has reptilian features, much like a dinosaur. But nothing absurdly huge is looking angrily at us from space. What trusty ol' Hubble Telescope has clicked is a constellation. This constellation, named Coma Berenices, is indeed called an 'evil eye' as placement of stars along with sweeping clouds of dust give it a rather devilish look. "...The gas in the inner and outer regions move in opposite directions, which may be due to a recent galactic merger...," says NASA in its post on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA (@nasa) × Now to the familiar part, like any other NASA image, the evil eye has captivated thousands online. At the time of publishing of this story, the Instagram post was liked by nearly 400,000 people. NASA has also made '#LoTR' in an apparent reference to Lord of the Rings movies. And people have caught on. In comments, one Instagram user has likened the 'evil eye' with 'The eye of Sauron' from the LOTR franchise. Also Read | NASA warns of solar storm hitting Earth amid increased activity, fiery eruptions on Sun The user is not the only to make allusion to LOTR. "Gondor calls for aid! And Rohan will answer!" quips another user in one more reference to the LOTR trilogy. Also Read | NASA discovers methane on distant exoplanet. Here is what it means... Not everyone is cracking jokes (after NASA's hint in the first place.) Some Instagram users are mesmerised by the terrifying beauty of Coma Berenices which has even made them contemplative. "The Universe is so damn big," says a user in the comments section. "Wow, that's all I can think of at moment . What an amazing image," another user has said.

'Evil eye' in the sky clicked by NASA wows netizens

<p>The Sun is experiencing a sudden surge in activity with a significant rise in the number of sunspots which are sending plumes of hot plasma out into space, the impact of which is expected to be felt by Earth in the form of geomagnetic storms triggered radio blackouts, reported Newsweek citing a NASA model.</p>

<h2><strong>What is happening to the Sun?</strong></h2>

<p>The Sun’s surface is covered with dark spots which are called sunspots where the magnetic field is very strong and in the last week or so, the number of these black pockmarks has increased tenfold and are said to be spewing out several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) every day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A report by Newsweek citing NASA model said that one of these CMEs – large expulsions of clouds of plasma from the Sun’s corona at high speeds – is expected to hit our magnetic field and atmosphere late on November 25. The Sun may also send out solar flares which are bright bursts of electromagnetic energy.</p>

<p>“Solar flares and CME are both caused by the sun through its magnetic field being twisted and stressed through motions in the sun,” Daniel Brown, an associate professor in astronomy and science communication at Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom, told Newsweek.</p>

<p>He added, “However, a solar flare is the immense release of light triggered by the snapping and rearranging of the magnetic fields on the sun. That will go hand in hand typically with the release of a CME. But it will take a day or more for the particles to arrive while the light and radiation reaches us in just over 8 minutes.”</p>

<p>A report by Spaceweather.com said that the rise in sunspots began on November 18 when AR3490, the first sunspot group, emerged on the Sun’s northeastern side. Subsequently, another sunspot group, AR3491 emerged and is said to have formed a trail behind it.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How will this affect the Earth?</strong></h2>

<p>Particles of CME hitting Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere trigger a geomagnetic storm during which auroras – which are a result of disturbances in the Earth’s magnetosphere caused by the solar wind – could enhance and also be visible in lower altitudes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“A geomagnetic storm occurs when the Earth’s magnetic field is seriously disrupted by eruptions from the sun,” Huw Morgan, head of the Solar Physics group at Aberystwyth University in the UK told Newsweek.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“When a large plasma storm erupts from the sun, and that storm carries a magnetic field which is oriented in an opposite direction to Earth's magnetic field, we have a ‘perfect storm,’ and a larger geomagnetic storm.”</p>

<p>But other than painting the sky with pretty lights, geomagnetic storms can also impact infrastructure like fluctuations and outages in the power grid and radio blackouts.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Sun is experiencing a sudden surge in activity with a significant rise in the number of sunspots which are sending plumes of hot plasma out into space, the impact of which is expected to be felt by Earth in the form of geomagnetic storms triggered radio blackouts, reported Newsweek citing a NASA model.

The Sun is experiencing a sudden surge in activity with a significant rise in the number of sunspots which are sending plumes of hot plasma out into space, the impact of which is expected to be felt by Earth in the form of geomagnetic storms triggered radio blackouts, reported Newsweek citing a NASA model. What is happening to the Sun? The Sun’s surface is covered with dark spots which are called sunspots where the magnetic field is very strong and in the last week or so, the number of these black pockmarks has increased tenfold and are said to be spewing out several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) every day. A report by Newsweek citing NASA model said that one of these CMEs – large expulsions of clouds of plasma from the Sun’s corona at high speeds – is expected to hit our magnetic field and atmosphere late on November 25. The Sun may also send out solar flares which are bright bursts of electromagnetic energy. “Solar flares and CME are both caused by the sun through its magnetic field being twisted and stressed through motions in the sun,” Daniel Brown, an associate professor in astronomy and science communication at Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom, told Newsweek. He added, “However, a solar flare is the immense release of light triggered by the snapping and rearranging of the magnetic fields on the sun. That will go hand in hand typically with the release of a CME. But it will take a day or more for the particles to arrive while the light and radiation reaches us in just over 8 minutes.” A report by Spaceweather.com said that the rise in sunspots began on November 18 when AR3490, the first sunspot group, emerged on the Sun’s northeastern side. Subsequently, another sunspot group, AR3491 emerged and is said to have formed a trail behind it. How will this affect the Earth? Particles of CME hitting Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere trigger a geomagnetic storm during which auroras – which are a result of disturbances in the Earth’s magnetosphere caused by the solar wind – could enhance and also be visible in lower altitudes. “A geomagnetic storm occurs when the Earth’s magnetic field is seriously disrupted by eruptions from the sun,” Huw Morgan, head of the Solar Physics group at Aberystwyth University in the UK told Newsweek. “When a large plasma storm erupts from the sun, and that storm carries a magnetic field which is oriented in an opposite direction to Earth's magnetic field, we have a ‘perfect storm,’ and a larger geomagnetic storm.” But other than painting the sky with pretty lights, geomagnetic storms can also impact infrastructure like fluctuations and outages in the power grid and radio blackouts. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA warns of solar storm hitting Earth amid increased activity, fiery eruptions on Sun

<p>Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC), a laser space communication system, of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has achieved "first light" as it successfully transmitted data through laser over a distance of 10 million miles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA said on Nov 16 that the experiment beamed data encoded within a near-infrared laser to the Hale Telescope at Caltech's Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The distance was about 40 times farther than the Moon is from Earth, as it became the farthest-ever demonstration of optical communications.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-scientists-say-this-lost-asteroid-could-strike-earth-in-2024-661079">Deep Impact? A 'lost asteroid' could strike Earth in 2024, NASA estimates show</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>DSOC is placed on the recently launched Psyche spacecraft. It is configured to send high-bandwidth data to Earth during its two-year technology demonstration.&nbsp;Psyche mission is&nbsp;travelling&nbsp;to the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter after being launched in October this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California manages, both DSOC and the Psyche mission.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The space agency said that the tech demo achieved "first light" in the early hours of Nov 14.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-decode-millennia-old-mystery-as-to-why-red-wine-causes-headaches-660928">Scientists decode millennia-old mystery as to why red wine causes headaches</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>'Achieving first light is one of many critical DSOC milestones'&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>As quoted by NASA, Trudy Kortes, director of Technology Demonstrations at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said: "Achieving first light is one of many critical DSOC milestones in the coming months, paving the way toward higher-data-rate communications capable of sending scientific information, high-definition imagery, and streaming video in support of humanity's next giant leap: sending humans to Mars."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US-based space agency said that the test data also was sent simultaneously via the uplink and downlink lasers — a procedure known as "closing the link" that is a primary objective for the experiment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted, Meera Srinivasan, operations lead for DSOC at JPL, said: "Tuesday morning’s test was the first to fully incorporate the ground assets and flight transceiver, requiring the DSOC and Psyche operations teams to work in tandem. It was a formidable challenge, and we have a lot more work to do, but for a short time, we were able to transmit, receive, and decode some data."&nbsp;</p>


Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC), a laser space communication system, of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has achieved "first light" as it successfully transmitted data through laser over a distance of 10 million miles.

Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC), a laser space communication system, of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has achieved "first light" as it successfully transmitted data through laser over a distance of 10 million miles. NASA said on Nov 16 that the experiment beamed data encoded within a near-infrared laser to the Hale Telescope at Caltech's Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California. The distance was about 40 times farther than the Moon is from Earth, as it became the farthest-ever demonstration of optical communications. Also read: Deep Impact? A 'lost asteroid' could strike Earth in 2024, NASA estimates show DSOC is placed on the recently launched Psyche spacecraft. It is configured to send high-bandwidth data to Earth during its two-year technology demonstration. Psyche mission is travelling to the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter after being launched in October this year. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California manages, both DSOC and the Psyche mission. The space agency said that the tech demo achieved "first light" in the early hours of Nov 14. Also read: Scientists decode millennia-old mystery as to why red wine causes headaches 'Achieving first light is one of many critical DSOC milestones' As quoted by NASA, Trudy Kortes, director of Technology Demonstrations at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said: "Achieving first light is one of many critical DSOC milestones in the coming months, paving the way toward higher-data-rate communications capable of sending scientific information, high-definition imagery, and streaming video in support of humanity's next giant leap: sending humans to Mars." The US-based space agency said that the test data also was sent simultaneously via the uplink and downlink lasers — a procedure known as "closing the link" that is a primary objective for the experiment. As quoted, Meera Srinivasan, operations lead for DSOC at JPL, said: "Tuesday morning’s test was the first to fully incorporate the ground assets and flight transceiver, requiring the DSOC and Psyche operations teams to work in tandem. It was a formidable challenge, and we have a lot more work to do, but for a short time, we were able to transmit, receive, and decode some data."

Laser message reaches Earth from nearly 10 million miles away in space

<p>In a major discovery, NASA has found methane on a distant exoplanet, which made it important to be closely observed.<br />
<br />
But why is methane such an important discovery? Methane has been able to capture scientific attention due to its short duration in a planetary atmosphere.<br />
<br />
This chemical cannot withstand starlight for a longer duration, especially in the terrestrial atmosphere. Methane succumbs to photodissociation and requires it to be continually replenished to maintain its presence in an atmosphere.<br />
<br />
If there is presence of huge amount of methane on a rocky planet, then the source is likely to be a massive and biotic one. Biological activity on Earth leads to the creation of an enormous amount of methane.<br />
<br />
Metabolically, it is not difficult to create methane. Methane is commonly found in our Solar System, although not in abundance. As per scientists, it is all abiotic. It has also been found on Mars, the Moon and on a few asteroids.<br />
<br />
Recently, methane was detected by the James Webb Space Telescope in the atmosphere of exoplanet WASP-80b, which is a gas giant half as big as Jupiter.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/alien-worlds-astronomers-discover-two-new-hot-jupiters-heres-all-about-these-exoplanets-662475">Alien worlds: Astronomers discover two new 'hot Jupiters'. Here's all about these exoplanets</a></p>

<p>WASP-80b has been orbiting around a K-type main sequence star, which is about 1.5 billion years old. WASP 80 is nearly 162 light-years away, and WASP-80b is the only exoplanet which has been found around the star till now.<br />
<br />
Since the exoplanet is a gas giant, there is no scope for life. However, the serpentinisation of olivine, which is methane's most well-known abiotic source, has also been ruled out since the exoplanet is not a rocky planet.<br />
<br />
Serpentinisation is an abiotic, natural process which involves water, carbon dioxide, and the mineral olivine. The detection has been presented in a new paper which has been published in the journal Nature.</p>

<h2><strong>Exoplanet like a warm Jupiter, says researchers</strong></h2>

<p>The paper has been titled "Methane throughout the atmosphere of the warm exoplanet WASP-80b" and its lead author is Taylor Bell, who is a post-doc researcher at the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute.<br />
<br />
WASP-80b is like a warm Jupiter, with a temperature of nearly 550 Celsius (1,025 F; 825 K). WASP-80b's temperature puts it in "an interesting transitional regime where equilibrium chemistry models predict that there should be detectable CH4 and CO/CO2 features in the planet's transmission and emission spectra,” explained the authors of the research.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites into orbit, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spacex-launches-22-starlink-satellites-into-orbit-launched-from-vandenberg-space-force-base-wion-661028/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"However, this definitive detection of methane throughout the atmosphere of WASP-80b with low-resolution, JWST spectroscopy raises the question of to what extent past non-detections were affected by the sparse wavelength coverage and precision achievable with HST and Spitzer," wrote the authors.<br />
<br />
"As we find methane and other gases in exoplanets, we will continue to expand our knowledge about how chemistry and physics work under conditions unlike what we have on Earth, and maybe sometime soon, in other planets that remind us of what we have here at home," the authors said in a NASA blog post.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a major discovery, NASA has found methane on a distant exoplanet, which made it important to be closely observed. But why is methane such an important discovery?

In a major discovery, NASA has found methane on a distant exoplanet, which made it important to be closely observed. But why is methane such an important discovery? Methane has been able to capture scientific attention due to its short duration in a planetary atmosphere. This chemical cannot withstand starlight for a longer duration, especially in the terrestrial atmosphere. Methane succumbs to photodissociation and requires it to be continually replenished to maintain its presence in an atmosphere. If there is presence of huge amount of methane on a rocky planet, then the source is likely to be a massive and biotic one. Biological activity on Earth leads to the creation of an enormous amount of methane. Metabolically, it is not difficult to create methane. Methane is commonly found in our Solar System, although not in abundance. As per scientists, it is all abiotic. It has also been found on Mars, the Moon and on a few asteroids. Recently, methane was detected by the James Webb Space Telescope in the atmosphere of exoplanet WASP-80b, which is a gas giant half as big as Jupiter. Also Read: Alien worlds: Astronomers discover two new 'hot Jupiters'. Here's all about these exoplanets WASP-80b has been orbiting around a K-type main sequence star, which is about 1.5 billion years old. WASP 80 is nearly 162 light-years away, and WASP-80b is the only exoplanet which has been found around the star till now. Since the exoplanet is a gas giant, there is no scope for life. However, the serpentinisation of olivine, which is methane's most well-known abiotic source, has also been ruled out since the exoplanet is not a rocky planet. Serpentinisation is an abiotic, natural process which involves water, carbon dioxide, and the mineral olivine. The detection has been presented in a new paper which has been published in the journal Nature. Exoplanet like a warm Jupiter, says researchers The paper has been titled "Methane throughout the atmosphere of the warm exoplanet WASP-80b" and its lead author is Taylor Bell, who is a post-doc researcher at the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute. WASP-80b is like a warm Jupiter, with a temperature of nearly 550 Celsius (1,025 F; 825 K). WASP-80b's temperature puts it in "an interesting transitional regime where equilibrium chemistry models predict that there should be detectable CH4 and CO/CO2 features in the planet's transmission and emission spectra,” explained the authors of the research. Watch: SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites into orbit, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base "However, this definitive detection of methane throughout the atmosphere of WASP-80b with low-resolution, JWST spectroscopy raises the question of to what extent past non-detections were affected by the sparse wavelength coverage and precision achievable with HST and Spitzer," wrote the authors. "As we find methane and other gases in exoplanets, we will continue to expand our knowledge about how chemistry and physics work under conditions unlike what we have on Earth, and maybe sometime soon, in other planets that remind us of what we have here at home," the authors said in a NASA blog post. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA discovers methane on distant exoplanet. Here is what it means...

<p>Showing gratitude from an altitude! On Thursday, NASA shared a video of astronauts celebrating Thanksgiving in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts, part of Expedition 70, organised a Thanksgiving dinner and sent their wishes to everyone from 200 to 250 miles above the Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We will be celebrating Thanksgiving together in space, but our thoughts are with our families at home and everyone else on Earth celebrating Thanksgiving," Commander Andreas Mogensen said in a video shared by NASA. "We'd like to take this opportunity to share this message on Thanksgiving from space with you."</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-unravel-why-skin-conditions-like-eczema-lead-to-itching-new-research-says-662056">Scientists unravel why skin conditions like eczema lead to itching. New research says...</a></p>

<p>This year marks the 50th anniversary of Thanksgiving in space. Watch the whole video here.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HappyThanksgiving?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HappyThanksgiving</a> from the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a>!<br />
<br />
Hear from Expedition 70 crewmembers to learn more about what Thanksgiving means to them—and some of the foods they plan to enjoy while in orbit. <a href="https://t.co/nSwX2zZWab">pic.twitter.com/nSwX2zZWab</a></p>
— NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_Johnson/status/1727341200598855776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>What was on NASA’s Thanksgiving menu this year?</strong></h2>

<p>To make the Thanksgiving dinner more special, a package of holiday food was shipped to the ISS by the SpaceX CRS-29 Dragon resupply service mission, which took off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida on Nov 9. It reached the ISS on Nov 11.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The festive treats were shipped in foil and plastic packaging which are generally refrigerated or dehydrated. The ISS crew prepares these meals by simply adding water and heating in a suitcase-sized food warmer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/devil-comet-heading-towards-earth-loses-its-iconic-horns-and-turns-green-after-explosion-662036">'Devil Comet' heading towards Earth loses its iconic horns and turns green after explosion</a></p>

<p>For those who are thinking this is meagre, well, this is much better than what Yuri Gagarin used to eat in space. During his trip to space in 1961, he used to eat edible paste off tubes to feed himself. Since then, a lot of developments have taken place in the type of food astronauts eat in space.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This year, NASA’s Thanksgiving menu included turkey, quail, seafood, pumpkin spice cappuccino, rice cake and mochi.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>First Thanksgiving in space</strong></h2>

<p>This was not the first time that NASA has organised a Thanksgiving feast for its astronauts up in space. It was celebrated in 1973 by the crew of Skylab 4. Astronauts Gerald P. Carr, Edward G. Gibson, and William R. Pogue celebrated Thanksgiving in space on 22 Nov 1973.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On that day, their seventh of an 84-day mission, Gibson and Pogue completed a 6-hour and 33-minute spacewalk, while Carr remained in the Multiple Docking Adaptor with no access to food. All three made up for missing lunch by consuming two meals at dinner time, although neither included special items for Thanksgiving.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Showing gratitude from an altitude! On Thursday, NASA shared a video of astronauts celebrating Thanksgiving in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Showing gratitude from an altitude! On Thursday, NASA shared a video of astronauts celebrating Thanksgiving in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts, part of Expedition 70, organised a Thanksgiving dinner and sent their wishes to everyone from 200 to 250 miles above the Earth. "We will be celebrating Thanksgiving together in space, but our thoughts are with our families at home and everyone else on Earth celebrating Thanksgiving," Commander Andreas Mogensen said in a video shared by NASA. "We'd like to take this opportunity to share this message on Thanksgiving from space with you." Also Read | Scientists unravel why skin conditions like eczema lead to itching. New research says... This year marks the 50th anniversary of Thanksgiving in space. Watch the whole video here. #HappyThanksgiving from the @Space_Station! Hear from Expedition 70 crewmembers to learn more about what Thanksgiving means to them—and some of the foods they plan to enjoy while in orbit. pic.twitter.com/nSwX2zZWab — NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) November 22, 2023 × What was on NASA’s Thanksgiving menu this year? To make the Thanksgiving dinner more special, a package of holiday food was shipped to the ISS by the SpaceX CRS-29 Dragon resupply service mission, which took off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida on Nov 9. It reached the ISS on Nov 11. The festive treats were shipped in foil and plastic packaging which are generally refrigerated or dehydrated. The ISS crew prepares these meals by simply adding water and heating in a suitcase-sized food warmer. Also Read | 'Devil Comet' heading towards Earth loses its iconic horns and turns green after explosion For those who are thinking this is meagre, well, this is much better than what Yuri Gagarin used to eat in space. During his trip to space in 1961, he used to eat edible paste off tubes to feed himself. Since then, a lot of developments have taken place in the type of food astronauts eat in space. This year, NASA’s Thanksgiving menu included turkey, quail, seafood, pumpkin spice cappuccino, rice cake and mochi. First Thanksgiving in space This was not the first time that NASA has organised a Thanksgiving feast for its astronauts up in space. It was celebrated in 1973 by the crew of Skylab 4. Astronauts Gerald P. Carr, Edward G. Gibson, and William R. Pogue celebrated Thanksgiving in space on 22 Nov 1973. On that day, their seventh of an 84-day mission, Gibson and Pogue completed a 6-hour and 33-minute spacewalk, while Carr remained in the Multiple Docking Adaptor with no access to food. All three made up for missing lunch by consuming two meals at dinner time, although neither included special items for Thanksgiving. (With inputs from agencies)

Quail, turkey, seafood & more: 50th Thanksgiving on space station was a grand affair

<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has carried out many Apollo missions to explore the Moon. The missions also returned with 382 kilogrammes of lunar rocks, core samples, pebbles, sand, and dust from the lunar surface between 1969 and 1972. The samples have provided scientists with valuable insight into the universe.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The latest analysis on the Moon, published in the "Communications Earth &amp; Environment" journal on November 15, has for the first time revealed the presence of hydrogen and the findings suggest that future astronauts could someday use water available right on the Moon for life support and rocket fuel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Researchers with the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) announced last week that they discovered hydrogen in lunar soil sample 79221. The sample was given to the researchers by NASA for a research study. The observed hydrogen is assumed to have been created by the Moon's constant showers of solar wind and perhaps comet strikes.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bacteria-found-storing-transmitting-memories-across-generations-for-the-first-time-661815">E. coli creates memories and passes them on to future generations, study finds</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>In a press release published on NRL News on November 21, the lead author Katherine Burgess, who is a geologist at NRL, said: "Hydrogen has the potential to be a resource that can be used directly on the lunar surface when there are more regular or permanent installations there."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Locating resources and understanding how to collect them prior to getting to the moon is going to be incredibly valuable for space exploration," Burgess added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The research team, which is led by experts from NRL's Materials Science and Technology Division, is still studying lunar surface and asteroidal samples to learn more about how surfaces interact with the space environment, a process known as space weathering.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/deformable-mirrors-in-space-may-help-find-alien-life-in-universe-661609">Deformable Mirrors in space may help find alien life in universe</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>In previous studies on Apollo samples, researchers have verified the presence of solar wind helium in lunar soil grains.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr Burgess further said, "This is the first time scientists have demonstrated the detection of hydrogen-bearing species within vesicles in lunar samples."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Previously, the same team at NRL used state-of-the-art techniques such as scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy to detect helium in lunar samples, and other researchers have found water in other planetary samples, but this is the first publication to show hydrogen in-situ in lunar samples," she added.&nbsp;</p>


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has carried out many Apollo missions to explore the Moon. The missions also returned with 382 kilogrammes of lunar rocks, core samples, pebbles, sand, and dust from the lunar surface between 1969 and 1972.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has carried out many Apollo missions to explore the Moon. The missions also returned with 382 kilogrammes of lunar rocks, core samples, pebbles, sand, and dust from the lunar surface between 1969 and 1972. The samples have provided scientists with valuable insight into the universe. The latest analysis on the Moon, published in the "Communications Earth & Environment" journal on November 15, has for the first time revealed the presence of hydrogen and the findings suggest that future astronauts could someday use water available right on the Moon for life support and rocket fuel. Researchers with the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) announced last week that they discovered hydrogen in lunar soil sample 79221. The sample was given to the researchers by NASA for a research study. The observed hydrogen is assumed to have been created by the Moon's constant showers of solar wind and perhaps comet strikes. Also read: E. coli creates memories and passes them on to future generations, study finds In a press release published on NRL News on November 21, the lead author Katherine Burgess, who is a geologist at NRL, said: "Hydrogen has the potential to be a resource that can be used directly on the lunar surface when there are more regular or permanent installations there." "Locating resources and understanding how to collect them prior to getting to the moon is going to be incredibly valuable for space exploration," Burgess added. The research team, which is led by experts from NRL's Materials Science and Technology Division, is still studying lunar surface and asteroidal samples to learn more about how surfaces interact with the space environment, a process known as space weathering. Also read: Deformable Mirrors in space may help find alien life in universe In previous studies on Apollo samples, researchers have verified the presence of solar wind helium in lunar soil grains. Dr Burgess further said, "This is the first time scientists have demonstrated the detection of hydrogen-bearing species within vesicles in lunar samples." "Previously, the same team at NRL used state-of-the-art techniques such as scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy to detect helium in lunar samples, and other researchers have found water in other planetary samples, but this is the first publication to show hydrogen in-situ in lunar samples," she added.

Scientists detect hydrogen in lunar samples. It indicates availability of water on Moon surface

<p>NASA has slowed down its own Mars sample mission amid uncertainty about its budget for next year. The US space agency's move has been criticised by both parties in the US, calling it “short-sighted and misguided”. They are also claiming that NASA's “rash” decision will cost jobs in California.</p>

<p>NASA’s Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission is a proposed mission to collect rock and dust from the Martian soil, as collected by the Perseverance rover. The mission was proposed to start in 2026, with NASA collecting all the data back to Earth by 2033.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mummies-of-children-about-1000-year-old-unearthed-in-peru-661887">Mummies of children, about 1000-year-old, unearthed in Peru</a></p>

<p>But the programme’s estimated budget has skyrocketed and it’s uncertain whether Congress will approve&nbsp;a full-year budget. Due to this, the space agency slowed down the programme in early November.</p>

<h2><strong>Why are US lawmakers criticising NASA?</strong></h2>

<p>US lawmakers are of the opinion that NASA should reverse its decision to proactively cut funding to the programme and wait for a proper solution.</p>

<p>Six California lawmakers wrote a letter to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, urging it to take back the decision on the issue as it will cut hundreds of jobs and a decade of science will be lost.</p>

<p>“This short-sighted and misguided decision by NASA will cost hundreds of jobs and a decade of lost science, and it flies in the face of congressional authority,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter, shared by POLITICO.</p>

<p>“We are mystified by NASA’s rash decision to suggest at this stage of the appropriations process that any cuts would be necessary.”</p>

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<p>The letter was led by California Rep. Adam Schiff and Sen. Alex Padilla, both Democrats and signed by Democrats Rep. Judy Chu and Sen. Laphonza Butler. Reps. Mike Garcia and Young Kim, both Republicans, also signed on.</p>

<p>California is home to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which sends robots to Mars. NASA’s decision to deliberately slow down the MSR mission will affect the jobs in the state. A large number of people will lose their jobs at NASA and the country will lose the “talented workforce to the private sector, which will then be impossible to reassemble”, the letter reads.</p>

<h2><strong>A quest to counter China&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>One argument that California lawmakers presented was that NASA’s scientific endeavours and achievements are the country’s collective quest to counter China. China is also actively pursuing similar mission to gather more information about the red planet.</p>

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<p>The estimated price tag for NASA’s Mars Sample Return effort has steeply risen from $4 billion to as much as $11 billion because the programme was set with an “unrealistic budget and schedule expectations from the beginning,” according to the independent review released by the space agency in September.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA has slowed down its own Mars sample mission amid uncertainty about its budget for next year. The US space agency's move has been criticised by both parties in the US, calling it “short-sighted and misguided”.

NASA has slowed down its own Mars sample mission amid uncertainty about its budget for next year. The US space agency's move has been criticised by both parties in the US, calling it “short-sighted and misguided”. They are also claiming that NASA's “rash” decision will cost jobs in California. NASA’s Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission is a proposed mission to collect rock and dust from the Martian soil, as collected by the Perseverance rover. The mission was proposed to start in 2026, with NASA collecting all the data back to Earth by 2033. Also Read | Mummies of children, about 1000-year-old, unearthed in Peru But the programme’s estimated budget has skyrocketed and it’s uncertain whether Congress will approve a full-year budget. Due to this, the space agency slowed down the programme in early November. Why are US lawmakers criticising NASA? US lawmakers are of the opinion that NASA should reverse its decision to proactively cut funding to the programme and wait for a proper solution. Six California lawmakers wrote a letter to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, urging it to take back the decision on the issue as it will cut hundreds of jobs and a decade of science will be lost. “This short-sighted and misguided decision by NASA will cost hundreds of jobs and a decade of lost science, and it flies in the face of congressional authority,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter, shared by POLITICO. “We are mystified by NASA’s rash decision to suggest at this stage of the appropriations process that any cuts would be necessary.” Also Read | Triple star discovery, studies likely to transform astronomers' understanding of stellar evolution The letter was led by California Rep. Adam Schiff and Sen. Alex Padilla, both Democrats and signed by Democrats Rep. Judy Chu and Sen. Laphonza Butler. Reps. Mike Garcia and Young Kim, both Republicans, also signed on. California is home to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which sends robots to Mars. NASA’s decision to deliberately slow down the MSR mission will affect the jobs in the state. A large number of people will lose their jobs at NASA and the country will lose the “talented workforce to the private sector, which will then be impossible to reassemble”, the letter reads. A quest to counter China One argument that California lawmakers presented was that NASA’s scientific endeavours and achievements are the country’s collective quest to counter China. China is also actively pursuing similar mission to gather more information about the red planet. Also Read | How did Mahabharata's Abhimanyu learn to fight in mother's womb? Recent research may answer The estimated price tag for NASA’s Mars Sample Return effort has steeply risen from $4 billion to as much as $11 billion because the programme was set with an “unrealistic budget and schedule expectations from the beginning,” according to the independent review released by the space agency in September. (With inputs from agencies)

California lawmakers urge NASA to reverse funding cuts to its Mars Sample Return mission

<p>Adding to the list of symptoms of “space sickness”, scientists have now claimed that male astronauts returning from outer space missions might have to deal with erectile dysfunction problems.</p>

<p>According to a study published in The FASEB Journal, the risk of erectile dysfunction is not only present when astronauts are in space, but it might also continue for a long period even after they come back to Earth.</p>

<p>Among the reasons cited by the study is that astronauts while in space are exposed to high levels of galactic cosmic rays (GCR)—energetic particles that bombard Earth—as well as weightlessness, which in turn affects their sexual health.</p>

<p>In their study, the NASA-funded researchers on Wednesday (Nov 22) warned of a “new health risk to consider with deep space exploration”.</p>

<p>“While the negative impacts of galactic cosmic radiation were long-lasting, functional improvements induced by acutely targeting the redox and nitric oxide pathways in the tissues suggest that the erectile dysfunction may be treatable,” said Dr Justin La Favor, an expert in neurovascular dysfunction at Florida State University and a senior author on the study.</p>

<h2><strong>'Astronauts should be monitored closely'</strong></h2>

<p>In light of more manned missions to space being planned in the coming years, La Favor said that the sexual health of astronauts should be monitored closely upon their return from deep space missions in the future.</p>

<p>"Current space vehicles provide negligible protection against GCR, so there are not effective ways to protect astronauts from GCR exposure on trips to deep-space," La Favor told&nbsp;Newsweek.</p>

<p>"It is possible that the effects of GCR exposure could be mitigated therapeutically, but more research will be needed to establish efficacy, even in the rodent models. Our study only investigated the effects after long-term recovery. I would speculate that the effects of the galactic cosmic radiation would be more pronounced shortly after exposure, although that will need to be a topic of future investigation."</p>

<h2><strong>'It can be prevented'</strong></h2>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-plane-crashes-into-parking-lot-of-texas-shopping-centre-bursts-into-flames-661324">Video: Plane crashes into Texas shopping centre parking lot, setting several vehicles ablaze</a></p>

<p>The study noted that the effects of galactic cosmic radiation, believed to cause erectile dysfunction, can be countered with treatment of different antioxidants.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ozone-hole-might-not-have-been-recovering-as-previously-thought-a-new-study-claims-661325">Ozone hole probably getting larger instead of healing as previously claimed, study says</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;"While the negative impacts of galactic cosmic radiation were long-lasting, functional improvements induced by acutely targeting the redox and nitric oxide pathways in the tissues suggest that the erectile dysfunction may be treatable," she said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Adding to the list of symptoms of “space sickness”, scientists have now claimed that male astronauts returning from outer space missions might have to deal with erectile dysfunction problems.

Adding to the list of symptoms of “space sickness”, scientists have now claimed that male astronauts returning from outer space missions might have to deal with erectile dysfunction problems. According to a study published in The FASEB Journal, the risk of erectile dysfunction is not only present when astronauts are in space, but it might also continue for a long period even after they come back to Earth. Among the reasons cited by the study is that astronauts while in space are exposed to high levels of galactic cosmic rays (GCR)—energetic particles that bombard Earth—as well as weightlessness, which in turn affects their sexual health. In their study, the NASA-funded researchers on Wednesday (Nov 22) warned of a “new health risk to consider with deep space exploration”. “While the negative impacts of galactic cosmic radiation were long-lasting, functional improvements induced by acutely targeting the redox and nitric oxide pathways in the tissues suggest that the erectile dysfunction may be treatable,” said Dr Justin La Favor, an expert in neurovascular dysfunction at Florida State University and a senior author on the study. 'Astronauts should be monitored closely' In light of more manned missions to space being planned in the coming years, La Favor said that the sexual health of astronauts should be monitored closely upon their return from deep space missions in the future. "Current space vehicles provide negligible protection against GCR, so there are not effective ways to protect astronauts from GCR exposure on trips to deep-space," La Favor told Newsweek. "It is possible that the effects of GCR exposure could be mitigated therapeutically, but more research will be needed to establish efficacy, even in the rodent models. Our study only investigated the effects after long-term recovery. I would speculate that the effects of the galactic cosmic radiation would be more pronounced shortly after exposure, although that will need to be a topic of future investigation." 'It can be prevented' Also read | Video: Plane crashes into Texas shopping centre parking lot, setting several vehicles ablaze The study noted that the effects of galactic cosmic radiation, believed to cause erectile dysfunction, can be countered with treatment of different antioxidants. Also read | Ozone hole probably getting larger instead of healing as previously claimed, study says "While the negative impacts of galactic cosmic radiation were long-lasting, functional improvements induced by acutely targeting the redox and nitric oxide pathways in the tissues suggest that the erectile dysfunction may be treatable," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

Space missions can increase risk of erectile dysfunction in male astronauts, says study

<p>NASA's Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) instrument, which was launched last year in July and stationed on the International Space Station (ISS), has spotted greenhouse gas emission sources, especially methane. NASA said that the instrument has shown an ability to detect more than just surface minerals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US-based space agency said that data from the EMIT instrument is being used to identify point-source emissions of greenhouse gases with a precision that has shocked even its inventors.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A new study published in Science Advances on November 17 stated that the detection of methane was not part of EMIT's main goal, but the imaging spectrometer's designers believed it could do it.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ozone-hole-might-not-have-been-recovering-as-previously-thought-a-new-study-claims-661325">Ozone hole probably getting larger instead of healing as previously claimed, study says</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The study stated that the detection of methane was not part of EMIT's core goal, although the imaging spectrometer's designers expected it to have the capability.</p>

<p>The study, titled, "Attribution of individual methane and carbon dioxide emission sources using EMIT observations from space", said that with over 750 emissions sources found since August 2022, the instrument has excelled.</p>

<p>Some observations are minor, some are in remote regions, and some are persistent over time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Andrew Thorpe, who is a research technologist on the EMIT science team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the paper's lead author, said: It has exceeded our expectations. We were a little cautious at first about what we could do with the instrument."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Floods wreak havoc in Horn of Africa&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Greenhouse gases</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>After analysing the results, NASA said in its report that operators of landfills, agricultural sites, oil and gas operations, and other methane producers can address methane emissions if they know where they are coming from.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added that tracking human-caused methane emissions is critical to minimising climate change because it provides a relatively low-cost, quick way to lower greenhouse gases.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, greenhouse gas is any gas that can absorb infrared radiation emitted from Earth's surface and reradiate it back to Earth's surface, thus contributing to the greenhouse effect.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour are the most important greenhouse gases. Methane remains in the atmosphere for roughly a decade, but during that period, it traps up to 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide, which remains for aeons.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


NASA's Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) instrument, which was launched last year in July and stationed on the International Space Station (ISS), has spotted greenhouse gas emission sources, especially methane.

NASA's Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) instrument, which was launched last year in July and stationed on the International Space Station (ISS), has spotted greenhouse gas emission sources, especially methane. NASA said that the instrument has shown an ability to detect more than just surface minerals. The US-based space agency said that data from the EMIT instrument is being used to identify point-source emissions of greenhouse gases with a precision that has shocked even its inventors. A new study published in Science Advances on November 17 stated that the detection of methane was not part of EMIT's main goal, but the imaging spectrometer's designers believed it could do it. Also read: Ozone hole probably getting larger instead of healing as previously claimed, study says The study stated that the detection of methane was not part of EMIT's core goal, although the imaging spectrometer's designers expected it to have the capability. The study, titled, "Attribution of individual methane and carbon dioxide emission sources using EMIT observations from space", said that with over 750 emissions sources found since August 2022, the instrument has excelled. Some observations are minor, some are in remote regions, and some are persistent over time. Andrew Thorpe, who is a research technologist on the EMIT science team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and the paper's lead author, said: It has exceeded our expectations. We were a little cautious at first about what we could do with the instrument." Watch: Floods wreak havoc in Horn of Africa × Also read: Deep sea mining might stress out the jellyfish and starve them to death Greenhouse gases After analysing the results, NASA said in its report that operators of landfills, agricultural sites, oil and gas operations, and other methane producers can address methane emissions if they know where they are coming from. It added that tracking human-caused methane emissions is critical to minimising climate change because it provides a relatively low-cost, quick way to lower greenhouse gases. Notably, greenhouse gas is any gas that can absorb infrared radiation emitted from Earth's surface and reradiate it back to Earth's surface, thus contributing to the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour are the most important greenhouse gases. Methane remains in the atmosphere for roughly a decade, but during that period, it traps up to 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide, which remains for aeons. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA instrument aboard ISS excels at spotting greenhouse gas emission sources

<p>A ‘lost asteroid’ has a slight possibility of impacting Earth in 2024, NASA has warned. The asteroid named 2007 FT3 is floating through space and there is a tiny chance that it might&nbsp;strike Earth&nbsp;next year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is not the first time that NASA has found an asteroid approaching Earth, and this will also not be the last. There are currently over 32,000 known near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and more than 120 known short-period near-Earth comets (NECs). Each of these space elements has the ability to cause some form of destruction to Earth if not averted successfully.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-posts-beautiful-picture-of-earths-airglow-660923">NASA posts beautiful picture of Earth's 'airglow'</a></p>

<p>Most of these known asteroids are tracked by NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). The space agency’s branch has&nbsp;estimated that the asteroid could potentially strike the planet as soon as October 2024.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>2007 FT3: ‘Lost asteroid’ might find its way to Earth&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>In 2007, scientists spotted an object floating through space, which they named 2007 FT3. The object was revealed to&nbsp;be an asteroid but soon lost its flight path and scientists lost track of it. The asteroid had a short observation arc of only 1.2 days, after which it was not recovered despite&nbsp;targeted observations made by the scientists. The scary part is that&nbsp;it has not been seen since 2007.</p>

<p>NASA scientists estimate&nbsp;that this&nbsp;asteroid has probably now found its way back to Earth. They further say that there is a possibility that 2007 FT3 will hit Earth next year. But how high is the possibility? Well, NASA has quantified it.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>NASA suggests that 2007 FT3 has a probability of 0.0000087 per cent or 1 in 11.5 million chance of striking Earth in October 2024. There is another possibility of it striking Earth in March 2024 with the probability standing at 0.0000096 per cent, or 1 in 10 million. In both cases, the asteroid has the potential to release the energy equivalent to the detonation of 2.6 billion tons of TNT.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How dangerous it could be?</strong></h2>

<p>As per NASA’s estimates, in both cases, the amount of energy released from the collision of an asteroid and Earth can cause a considerable amount of regional destruction. However, the destruction would be weak enough to cause any global damage.</p>

<p>The space agency says that it will most probably strike the Earth on <strong>5 Oct 2024.</strong>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>There are other asteroids as well that are approaching Earth that can potentially cause such devastation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One object, known as 29075 (1950 DA), is the second riskiest rock on NASA's list. Discovered in 1950, scientists lost track of it for 50 years before finding its path once again. It has a 0.0029 per cent, or 1 in 34,500 chance of hitting Earth on March 16, 2880, a time way, way into the future.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A ‘lost asteroid’ has a slight possibility of impacting Earth in 2024, NASA has warned. The asteroid named 2007 FT3 is floating through space and there is a tiny chance that it might strike Earth next year.

A ‘lost asteroid’ has a slight possibility of impacting Earth in 2024, NASA has warned. The asteroid named 2007 FT3 is floating through space and there is a tiny chance that it might strike Earth next year. This is not the first time that NASA has found an asteroid approaching Earth, and this will also not be the last. There are currently over 32,000 known near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and more than 120 known short-period near-Earth comets (NECs). Each of these space elements has the ability to cause some form of destruction to Earth if not averted successfully. Also Read | NASA posts beautiful picture of Earth's 'airglow' Most of these known asteroids are tracked by NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). The space agency’s branch has estimated that the asteroid could potentially strike the planet as soon as October 2024. 2007 FT3: ‘Lost asteroid’ might find its way to Earth In 2007, scientists spotted an object floating through space, which they named 2007 FT3. The object was revealed to be an asteroid but soon lost its flight path and scientists lost track of it. The asteroid had a short observation arc of only 1.2 days, after which it was not recovered despite targeted observations made by the scientists. The scary part is that it has not been seen since 2007. NASA scientists estimate that this asteroid has probably now found its way back to Earth. They further say that there is a possibility that 2007 FT3 will hit Earth next year. But how high is the possibility? Well, NASA has quantified it. Also Read | Scientists decode millennia-old mystery as to why red wine causes headaches NASA suggests that 2007 FT3 has a probability of 0.0000087 per cent or 1 in 11.5 million chance of striking Earth in October 2024. There is another possibility of it striking Earth in March 2024 with the probability standing at 0.0000096 per cent, or 1 in 10 million. In both cases, the asteroid has the potential to release the energy equivalent to the detonation of 2.6 billion tons of TNT. How dangerous it could be? As per NASA’s estimates, in both cases, the amount of energy released from the collision of an asteroid and Earth can cause a considerable amount of regional destruction. However, the destruction would be weak enough to cause any global damage. The space agency says that it will most probably strike the Earth on 5 Oct 2024. Also Read | Sex ritual of this bat isn't quite how mammals copulate, a video recorded in Netherlands shows There are other asteroids as well that are approaching Earth that can potentially cause such devastation. One object, known as 29075 (1950 DA), is the second riskiest rock on NASA's list. Discovered in 1950, scientists lost track of it for 50 years before finding its path once again. It has a 0.0029 per cent, or 1 in 34,500 chance of hitting Earth on March 16, 2880, a time way, way into the future. (With inputs from agencies)

Asteroid thought to be lost in space might pose threat to Earth in 2024, NASA estimates show

<p>James Webb Space Telescope has taken the latest picture of the dense centre of our galaxy showing stunning and unprecedented details. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in its report published on Monday (Nov 20) said that the star-forming region, named Sagittarius C (Sgr C), is about 300 light-years from the Milky Way's central supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*. Notably, Sagittarius A* is the supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center of the Milky Way.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted by NASA, the observation team's principal investigator Samuel Crowe, who is an undergraduate student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, said: "There's never been any infrared data on this region with the level of resolution and sensitivity we get with Webb, so we are seeing lots of features here for the first time."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Crowe further added that "Webb reveals an incredible amount of detail, allowing us to study star formation in this sort of environment in a way that wasn't possible previously".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Professor Jonathan Tan, who is one of Crowe's advisors at the University of Virginia, said: "The galactic center is the most extreme environment in our Milky Way galaxy, where current theories of star formation can be put to their most rigorous test."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-deep-space-optical-comm-achieves-first-light-as-it-sends-and-receives-data-661088">NASA probe aboard Psyche mission sends message from nearly 10 million miles away in space</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pictured: An estimated 500,000 stars.<br />
<br />
This is the heart of the Milky Way galaxy. <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAWebb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAWebb</a> has revealed never-before-seen features in a star-forming region called Sagittarius C: <a href="https://t.co/ljZyx7qV2y">https://t.co/ljZyx7qV2y</a> <a href="https://t.co/WgBH45qUyQ">pic.twitter.com/WgBH45qUyQ</a></p>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1726652548508192785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🌟 Sagittarius C is a star-forming region just 25000 light-years from Earth – near enough for astronomers to study individual stars with Webb and learn how they form. <a href="https://t.co/mNPUwVOwEA">pic.twitter.com/mNPUwVOwEA</a></p>
— ESA Webb Telescope (@ESA_Webb) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESA_Webb/status/1726617000426737854?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The star-forming region called Sagittarius C is located about 300 light-years from the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole. An estimated 500,000 stars are forming in this region, providing insights on the origin of the universe. <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a> <a href="https://t.co/VvKgezdalt">pic.twitter.com/VvKgezdalt</a></p>
— James Drake (@jamesjpdrake) <a href="https://twitter.com/jamesjpdrake/status/1726917995442704704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-scientists-say-this-lost-asteroid-could-strike-earth-in-2024-661079">Deep Impact? A 'lost asteroid' could strike Earth in 2024, NASA estimates show</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>NASA's report stated that in the estimated 500,000 stars in the image is a cluster of protostars, which are still forming and gaining mass. The process produced outflows that glow in the midst of an infrared-dark cloud.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA said that "at the heart of this young cluster is a previously known, massive protostar over 30 times the mass of our Sun".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The cloud the protostars are emerging from is so dense that the light from stars behind it cannot reach Webb, making it appear less crowded when in fact it is one of the most densely packed areas of the image," said NASA.&nbsp;</p>


James Webb Space Telescope has taken the latest picture of the dense centre of our galaxy showing stunning and unprecedented details. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in its report published on Monday (Nov 20) said that the star-forming region, named Sagittarius C (Sgr C), is about 300 light-years from the Milky Way's central supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*.

James Webb Space Telescope has taken the latest picture of the dense centre of our galaxy showing stunning and unprecedented details. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in its report published on Monday (Nov 20) said that the star-forming region, named Sagittarius C (Sgr C), is about 300 light-years from the Milky Way's central supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*. Notably, Sagittarius A* is the supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center of the Milky Way. As quoted by NASA, the observation team's principal investigator Samuel Crowe, who is an undergraduate student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, said: "There's never been any infrared data on this region with the level of resolution and sensitivity we get with Webb, so we are seeing lots of features here for the first time." Crowe further added that "Webb reveals an incredible amount of detail, allowing us to study star formation in this sort of environment in a way that wasn't possible previously". Professor Jonathan Tan, who is one of Crowe's advisors at the University of Virginia, said: "The galactic center is the most extreme environment in our Milky Way galaxy, where current theories of star formation can be put to their most rigorous test." Also read: NASA probe aboard Psyche mission sends message from nearly 10 million miles away in space Pictured: An estimated 500,000 stars. This is the heart of the Milky Way galaxy. @NASAWebb has revealed never-before-seen features in a star-forming region called Sagittarius C: https://t.co/ljZyx7qV2y pic.twitter.com/WgBH45qUyQ — NASA (@NASA) November 20, 2023 × 🌟 Sagittarius C is a star-forming region just 25000 light-years from Earth – near enough for astronomers to study individual stars with Webb and learn how they form. pic.twitter.com/mNPUwVOwEA — ESA Webb Telescope (@ESA_Webb) November 20, 2023 × The star-forming region called Sagittarius C is located about 300 light-years from the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole. An estimated 500,000 stars are forming in this region, providing insights on the origin of the universe. @NASA pic.twitter.com/VvKgezdalt — James Drake (@jamesjpdrake) November 21, 2023 × Also read: Deep Impact? A 'lost asteroid' could strike Earth in 2024, NASA estimates show NASA's report stated that in the estimated 500,000 stars in the image is a cluster of protostars, which are still forming and gaining mass. The process produced outflows that glow in the midst of an infrared-dark cloud. NASA said that "at the heart of this young cluster is a previously known, massive protostar over 30 times the mass of our Sun". "The cloud the protostars are emerging from is so dense that the light from stars behind it cannot reach Webb, making it appear less crowded when in fact it is one of the most densely packed areas of the image," said NASA.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope shows heart of Milky Way in unprecedented details

<p>Trust NASA to send stunning pictures of the cosmos our way. There are tonnes of images that are simply wow and the trickle doesn't appear to slow down as the space agency points its lenses towards the space and brings&nbsp;us images from even distant corners.</p>

<p>Among the latest ones that have mesmerised the people&nbsp;is an image of the only planet we call home. And it's just not any pic. This image captures Earth's 'airglow' with the moon shining just above. The image was captured just last week, on November 14 from the ISS (International Space Station).</p>

<p>NASA has posted the image from its Instagram handle.</p>

<p>"A view of Earth from the space station during orbital night. The Moon is above earth nearly centered above the surface. An airglow outlines the atmosphere above the Earth's surface in a yellow shade. Lights from cities dot Earth's surface – among them, a concentration of lights near the horizon identifies the city of Chicago, while the concentration of lights closer to the bottom left identifies Denver," wrote NASA.</p>

<p>The agency explains what exactly is an 'airglow' -&nbsp;Atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere get energised due to sunlight, and as they shed their excess energy, it leads to an airglow.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/cosmic-vine-scientists-discover-enormous-cosmic-structure-hosting-20-galaxies-660417">‘Cosmic Vine’: Scientists discover enormous structure hosting 20 galaxies</a></strong></p>

<p>So are airglow and auroras the same? Not quite.</p>

<p>Auroras are formed when charged particles emitted by the Sun interact with Earth's magnetic field.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-mysterious-phenomenon-is-changing-the-earths-core-heres-how-660689">A mysterious phenomenon is changing the Earth's core. Here's how</a></strong></p>

<p>"Studying airflow gives us a peek into the upper atmosphere's temperature, density, and composition, but it also helps us trace how particles move through the region itself. Vast, high-altitude winds sweep through the ionosphere, pushing its contents around the globe — and airglow's subtle dance follows their lead, highlighting global patterns," says NASA.</p>

<p>The image has got more than 700,000 likes and Instagram users have expressed their opinions (ALL positive) in the comments below the post.</p>


Trust NASA to send stunning pictures of the cosmos our way. There are tonnes of images that are simply wow and the trickle doesn't appear to slow down as the space agency points its lenses towards the space and brings us images from even distant corners.

Trust NASA to send stunning pictures of the cosmos our way. There are tonnes of images that are simply wow and the trickle doesn't appear to slow down as the space agency points its lenses towards the space and brings us images from even distant corners. Among the latest ones that have mesmerised the people is an image of the only planet we call home. And it's just not any pic. This image captures Earth's 'airglow' with the moon shining just above. The image was captured just last week, on November 14 from the ISS (International Space Station). NASA has posted the image from its Instagram handle. "A view of Earth from the space station during orbital night. The Moon is above earth nearly centered above the surface. An airglow outlines the atmosphere above the Earth's surface in a yellow shade. Lights from cities dot Earth's surface – among them, a concentration of lights near the horizon identifies the city of Chicago, while the concentration of lights closer to the bottom left identifies Denver," wrote NASA. The agency explains what exactly is an 'airglow' - Atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere get energised due to sunlight, and as they shed their excess energy, it leads to an airglow. Also Read | ‘Cosmic Vine’: Scientists discover enormous structure hosting 20 galaxies So are airglow and auroras the same? Not quite. Auroras are formed when charged particles emitted by the Sun interact with Earth's magnetic field. Also Read | A mysterious phenomenon is changing the Earth's core. Here's how "Studying airflow gives us a peek into the upper atmosphere's temperature, density, and composition, but it also helps us trace how particles move through the region itself. Vast, high-altitude winds sweep through the ionosphere, pushing its contents around the globe — and airglow's subtle dance follows their lead, highlighting global patterns," says NASA. The image has got more than 700,000 likes and Instagram users have expressed their opinions (ALL positive) in the comments below the post.

NASA posts beautiful picture of Earth's 'airglow'

<p>A tool bag that was accidentally slipped by NASA astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS), will be flying over Britain on Tuesday (Nov 21) and be visible from the ground.</p>

<p>The tool bag is orbiting the Earth around five minutes ahead of the ISS, and it has already been spotted by astronauts both onboard the space station and on the ground.</p>

<p>The bag is surprisingly bright and can be spotted with the naked eye in a clear sky. However, amateurs can also use binoculars or a telescope for a clear view.</p>

<h2><strong>What time will the tool bag be visible?</strong></h2>

<p>Britons in the south are expected to have a clear view of the tool bag on Tuesday evening. The best time to spot the bag would be between 5.30 pm and 5.41 pm.</p>

<p>Astronomers from the Virtual Telescope Project first spotted the object from the ground last week.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gaganyaan: India's first mission to send astronauts to space</strong></p>

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<p>Gianluca Masi, the project founder, posted an image, adding: &nbsp;“The object looks like a sharp dot of light in the centre, as the telescope tracked it.”&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How did the bag end up there?</strong></h2>

<p>On November 2, when NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara were conducting repairs on the International Space Station’s (ISS) solar panels, they accidentally let a tool bag slip away.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Last seen by <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Satoshi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Satoshi</a> while floating over Mount Fuji 🗻 the 'Orbital Police' can confirm that the lost EVA gear is being tracked 🫡 <a href="https://t.co/wz4MITmAfM">https://t.co/wz4MITmAfM</a> <a href="https://t.co/eksfu9fPFw">pic.twitter.com/eksfu9fPFw</a></p>
— Dr Meganne Christian (@astro_meganne) <a href="https://twitter.com/astro_meganne/status/1721297966999236802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The tool bag is expected to orbit around Earth for a few months, during which it will continue to descend until 70 miles or 113 kilometres.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/science/8-weird-things-astronauts-have-left-on-the-moon-1691144540606"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;8 Weird Things Astronauts Have Left On The Moon</strong></a></p>

<p>After reaching there, it will start to disintegrate in Earth’s atmosphere.</p>

<p>Notably, it was not the first time that astronauts dropped a repair kit accidentally into the Earth’s orbit.</p>

<p>On November 18, 2008, astronauts lost a similar repair kit during an operation outside the ISS.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A tool bag that was accidentally slipped by NASA astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS), will be flying over Britain on Tuesday (Nov 21) and be visible from the ground.

A tool bag that was accidentally slipped by NASA astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS), will be flying over Britain on Tuesday (Nov 21) and be visible from the ground. The tool bag is orbiting the Earth around five minutes ahead of the ISS, and it has already been spotted by astronauts both onboard the space station and on the ground. The bag is surprisingly bright and can be spotted with the naked eye in a clear sky. However, amateurs can also use binoculars or a telescope for a clear view. What time will the tool bag be visible? Britons in the south are expected to have a clear view of the tool bag on Tuesday evening. The best time to spot the bag would be between 5.30 pm and 5.41 pm. Astronomers from the Virtual Telescope Project first spotted the object from the ground last week. Watch: Gaganyaan: India's first mission to send astronauts to space × Gianluca Masi, the project founder, posted an image, adding: “The object looks like a sharp dot of light in the centre, as the telescope tracked it.” How did the bag end up there? On November 2, when NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara were conducting repairs on the International Space Station’s (ISS) solar panels, they accidentally let a tool bag slip away. Last seen by @Astro_Satoshi while floating over Mount Fuji 🗻 the 'Orbital Police' can confirm that the lost EVA gear is being tracked 🫡 https://t.co/wz4MITmAfM pic.twitter.com/eksfu9fPFw — Dr Meganne Christian (@astro_meganne) November 5, 2023 × The tool bag is expected to orbit around Earth for a few months, during which it will continue to descend until 70 miles or 113 kilometres. Also read: 8 Weird Things Astronauts Have Left On The Moon After reaching there, it will start to disintegrate in Earth’s atmosphere. Notably, it was not the first time that astronauts dropped a repair kit accidentally into the Earth’s orbit. On November 18, 2008, astronauts lost a similar repair kit during an operation outside the ISS. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA’s lost tool bag orbiting Earth can be spotted with naked eyes on Tuesday

In another stepping stone for the Indian Space Research Organisation, it will now be collaborating with its US counterpart NASA to map the world every 12 days in the first-ever satellite developed by the two in collaboration named NISAR.

ISRO to launch NISAR in 2024

<p>A NASA experiment called Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) has marked a key milestone in achieving "first light," successfully transmitting and receiving data&nbsp;to and from far beyond the Moon using a near-infrared laser.</p>

<p>The experiment, which is seeking to revolutionise spacecraft communication, is part of the recently launched Psyche spacecraft.</p>

<p>A near-infrared laser encoded with test data was sent from a distance of nearly 10 million miles&nbsp;to the Hale Telescope at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California.</p>

<p>The distance even surpassed the Moon-Earth distance by about 40 times. This marked&nbsp;the farthest-ever demonstration of optical communications.</p>

<p>The experiment utilised a cutting-edge laser transceiver aboard the Psyche spacecraft to send and receive signals. This groundbreaking achievement signified a leap forward in high-bandwidth data transmission, crucial for future space missions.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/at-global-average-temperature-of-2-degrees-earth-likely-to-see-disastrous-40-feet-of-sea-level-rise-659748">At global average temperature of 2 degrees, Earth likely to see disastrous 40 feet of sea level rise</a></p>

<p>The successful "first light" moment occurred on November&nbsp;14, as the laser transceiver locked onto a powerful uplink laser beacon transmitted from the Optical Communications Telescope Laboratory at JPL’s Table Mountain Facility.</p>

<p>The collaborative effort between the transceiver and ground stations, along with automated systems, fine-tuned the laser's pointing back to Palomar.</p>

<h2><strong>Future missions</strong></h2>

<p>Trudy Kortes, director of Technology Demonstrations at NASA Headquarters, highlighted the importance of achieving "first light" as a critical milestone.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Achieving first light is one of many critical DSOC milestones in the coming months, paving the way toward higher-data-rate communications capable of sending scientific information, high-definition imagery, and streaming video in support of humanity’s next giant leap: sending humans to Mars,” said Kortes said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The experiment is not transmitting Psyche mission data and DSOC&nbsp;operations do not intervene with the data of the spacecraft.</p>

<h5>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-joe-biden-says-stable-china-ties-will-benefit-the-world-659699">US President Joe Biden says, 'stable China ties will benefit the world'</a></h5>

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<p>The Psyche spacecraft is undergoing checkouts, testing propulsion systems, and instruments for studying the asteroid Psyche upon its arrival in 2028.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A NASA experiment called Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) has marked a key milestone in achieving "first light," successfully transmitting and receiving data to and from far beyond the Moon using a near-infrared laser.

A NASA experiment called Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) has marked a key milestone in achieving "first light," successfully transmitting and receiving data to and from far beyond the Moon using a near-infrared laser. The experiment, which is seeking to revolutionise spacecraft communication, is part of the recently launched Psyche spacecraft. A near-infrared laser encoded with test data was sent from a distance of nearly 10 million miles to the Hale Telescope at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California. The distance even surpassed the Moon-Earth distance by about 40 times. This marked the farthest-ever demonstration of optical communications. The experiment utilised a cutting-edge laser transceiver aboard the Psyche spacecraft to send and receive signals. This groundbreaking achievement signified a leap forward in high-bandwidth data transmission, crucial for future space missions. Also Read | At global average temperature of 2 degrees, Earth likely to see disastrous 40 feet of sea level rise The successful "first light" moment occurred on November 14, as the laser transceiver locked onto a powerful uplink laser beacon transmitted from the Optical Communications Telescope Laboratory at JPL’s Table Mountain Facility. The collaborative effort between the transceiver and ground stations, along with automated systems, fine-tuned the laser's pointing back to Palomar. Future missions Trudy Kortes, director of Technology Demonstrations at NASA Headquarters, highlighted the importance of achieving "first light" as a critical milestone. “Achieving first light is one of many critical DSOC milestones in the coming months, paving the way toward higher-data-rate communications capable of sending scientific information, high-definition imagery, and streaming video in support of humanity’s next giant leap: sending humans to Mars,” said Kortes said. The experiment is not transmitting Psyche mission data and DSOC operations do not intervene with the data of the spacecraft. Watch | US President Joe Biden says, 'stable China ties will benefit the world' × The Psyche spacecraft is undergoing checkouts, testing propulsion systems, and instruments for studying the asteroid Psyche upon its arrival in 2028. (With inputs from agencies)

In a first, NASA experiment transmits data via laser to and from far beyond Moon

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